Bariatric Advantage Vitamins VS. Centrum

Straight from Bariatric Advantage:

How are BA multis different from Centrum?

Our multis all contain on average 200 to 400% of the RDA for each of the B-vitamins in a daily dose – which is 2-4 times the levels in Centrum. So generally patients should not require additional Bs unless they have a deficiency. The exception is B12 which is absorbed very differently from the other B vitamins. I recommend a sublingual or an injection with RNY.

Just an additional note on Centrum – they lack selenium and chromium (essential elements) and include many ingredients that we simply won’t use either because the form is inappropriate for RNY patients (dibasic calcium, magnesium oxide, etc) or because they are unnecessary (gums, preservatives, 4-5 sweeteners, colorants, lactose). Here is their ingredient list:

Sucrose, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Mannitol, Calcium Carbonate, Stearic Acid, Magnesium Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (Vit C), Pregelatinized Starch, Microcrystalline Cellulose, dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (Vit E), Contains <2% of: Acacia, Aspartame, Beta Carotene**, Biotin, BHT, Calcium Pantothenate, Carbonyl Iron, Carrageenan, Chromic Chloride, Citric Acid, Cupric Oxide, Cyanocobalamin (Vit B12), Dextrose, Ergocalciferol (Vit D), FD&C Yellow 6 Aluminum Lake, Folic Acid, Gelatin, Glucose, Guar Gum, Lactose, Magnesium Stearate, Malic Acid, Manganese Sulfate, Mono and DiGlycerides, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Niacinamide, Phytonadione (Vit K), Potassium Iodide, Potassium Sorbate, Purified Water, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit B6), Riboflavin (Vit B2), Silicon Dioxide, Sodium Ascorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Silicoaluminate, Sorbic Acid, Starch, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vit B1), Tocopherol, Tribasic Calcium Phosphate, Vanillin, Vitamin A Acetate (Vit A), Zinc Oxide, May Also Contain: Fructose, Maltodextin.

Bariatric Advantage™ Chewables vs. Centrum® Chewables

Nutrient	BA Orange per serving Amount %DV		BA Tropical per serving (2 Tablets) Amount %DV		BA VitaBand per serving Amount %DV		Centrum Chewables per serving Amount %DV
A	7500 IU (100% carotene)	150%	10,000 IU (50-50 carotene-retinol)	200%	5000 IU (100% carotene)	100%	3500 IU (29% carotene)	70%
C	120mg	200%	120mg	200%	120mg	200%	60mg	100%
D3	100 IU	25%	600 IU	25%	600 IU	150%	400 IU (as D2)	100%
E	30 IU (natural)	100%	500 IU (natural)	100%	30 IU (natural)	100%	30 IU (synthetic)1	100%
K	0	0 %	120mcg	150%	0	0%	10mcg	13%
B1	6mg	400%	6mg	400%	3mg	200%	1.5mg	100%
B2	3.4mg	200%	3.4mg	200%	3.4mg	200%	1.7mg	100%
Niacin	50mg	250%	50mg	250%	50mg	250%	20mg	100%
B6	4mg	200%	4mg	200%	4mg	200%	2mg	100%
Folate	800mcg	200%	800mcg	200%	800mcg	200%	400mcg	100%
B12	100mcg	1666%	100mcg	1666%	50mcg	833%	6mcg	100%
Biotin	300mcg	100%	300mcg	100%	300mcg	100%	45mcg	15%
Pantothenic Acid	10mg	100%	10mg	100%	10mg	100%	10mg	100%
Calcium	200mg (citrate)	20%	100mg (citrate)	20%	600mg (citrate-carbonate blend)	60%	108mg2	20%
Magnesium	50mg (citrate)	12%	50mg (citrate)	12%	50mg	12%	40mg3	10%
Iron4	0	0%	0	0%	18mg	100%	18mg	100%
Phosphorus5	0	0%	0	0%	0	0%	50mg	5%
Iodine6	0	0%			0	0%	150mcg	100%
Zinc	15mg (citrate)	100%	15mg (citrate)	100%	15mg	100%	12mg7	80%
Selenium8	100mcg (selenomethionine)	143%	134mcg (selenomethionine)	192%	55mcg	79%	0	0%
Copper	1mg (citrate)	50%	1mg (citrate)	50%	2mg	100%	2mg9	100%
Manganese	2mg	100%	2mg	100%	2	100%	1mg	50%
Chromium	100mcg	84%	100mcg	84%	120mcg	100%	20mcg	17%
Molybdenum	75mcg	100%	75mcg	100%	75mcg	100%	20mcg	27%
Choline	2.35mg	>1%	2mg	>1%	5mg	1%	0mg10	0%
Flavonoids	12.5mg		12.5mg		0		0
Inositol	5mg		5mg		5mg		0
Vanadium	25mcg		25mcg		25mcg		0
Other ingredients	Invetek base, stearic acid USP, natural orange flavor, natural creamsicle flavor, citrus flavor blend, magnesium citrate NF/FCC, sucralose		Invetek base, lemon flavor, stearic acid USP, citrus blend flavor, natural pineapple flavor, magnesium citrate NF/FCC, sucralose				Sucrose, mannitol (wheat)11, stearic acid, pregelatinized starch, microcrystalline cellulose, acacia, aspartame, BHT, carrageenan, citric acid, dextrose, FD&C yellow #6, gelatin, glucose, guar gum, lactose (milk)12, magnesium stearate, malic acid, maltodextrin, mono and di-glycerides, natural and artificial flavors, potassium sorbate, purified water, silicone dioxide, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, silicoaluminate13, sorbic acid, starch, vanillin14.

1 Synthetic vitamin E is significantly less (about 1/3) bioactive than natural vitamin E. The estimate of relative activity is as follows:

RRR-alpha-tocopherol (natural or d-alpha-tocopherol): 

• IU x 0.67 = mg RRR-alpha-tocopherol.

• Example: 100 IU = 67 mg

all-rac-alpha-tocopherol (synthetic or dl-alpha-tocopherol):

• IU x 0.45 = mg RRR-alpha-tocopherol.

• Example: 100 IU = 45 mg

2 From Dibasic Calcium Phosphate, Tribasic Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Carbonate. These are poorly soluble forms for those with malabsorption and low stomach acid.

3 From Magnesium Oxide. This form has poor solubility for those with malabsorptive procedures and l;ow stomach acid.

4 We omit iron form our multivitamins that are intended for malabsorption so that it can be easily separated from competitive minerals like calcium and to allow for flexible dosing.

5 Phosphorus is not necessary in dietary supplements as it is ample in food. There is phosphorus in Flintstones because it is present in the calcium form, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate.

6 Iodine is the only allergen to a nutrient that occurs relatively commonly. It is also frequently prohibited in those with thyroid disease.

7 100% from Zinc Oxide – a poorly soluble form for those with malabsorption

8 Centrum lacks the essential nutrient selenium. Selenium has been found to be deficient in obesity and after weight loss surgery.

9 100% from Cupric Oxide– a poorly soluble form for those with malabsorption

10 Centrum lacks choline, an essential nutrient for cell membranes and nerve health

11 Wheat/gluten intolerance occurs in approximately 1 in 300 adults of European heritage.

12 Lactose intolerance is a common problem

13 An anticaking agent that is also used as a commercial pesticide.

14 Centrum actually contains 24 nutrients and 31 excipients.