I've reads the threads re: B-12 vitamins and the potential deficencies associated with them. My question is, are there other vitamins we could be lacking due to the lack of a large intestine. I run and for the past two months, I've been getting more fatigued, quicker, than usual. I can't seem to keep the intensity up as long as I used to. I went in for a blood test recently and it came back normal. I only run 3-4 days/week, whereas I used to run 5-6 days/week.

It is probably your hydration level at this point.

Basically, the only vitamin associated with the colon is vitamin K, as it is made by colonic bacteria. However, you get food sources of that too (green leafy and cruciferous veggies). Vitamin K has nothing to do with your stamina, but it is important in the clotting mechanism. B-12 is absorbed in the terminal ileum, not the colon. Some people do get fatigue associated with low normal levels of this vitamin. It takes about 3-5 years to develop a deficiency once your absorption is not where it should be. If you take an acid blocker, this will interfere with B-12 absorption too.

The primary function of the colon is water absorption. Without the colon you also will not reabsorb much of your bile, which contains a lot of cholesterol. You may want to increase the fat in your diet, particularly the good stuff like olive oil and fish oils.

One other thing to think about is that you are getting older. We can't stop the clock.

Jan

Thank you for the post. You are pretty knowledgable. I trained for a half marathon a year ago, felling relatively great the entire time. Since that time (December), I've had my ups and downs. I'm hydrating the same. I thought it might have something to do with my vitamin intake, which has changed. I used to take a multiple, now I take mineral supplements (calcium, multiple mineral supplement in my OJ). Or if could be stress related, since I have undergone employement issues since then.

Oh, absolutely! We tend to underestimate the effect of stress on our bodies. A little stress is good and keeps us running at a higher metabolic rate and makes us more alert and efficient. However, too much stress will have an adverse effect because of the constant increased cortisol levels and resulting overtaxing of the body's systems.

I would suggest that you incorporate some relaxation type exercise, rather than trying to increase your running at this point. While the running helps increase natural endorphins, it may not be providing you with the focused relaxation you need. Perhaps alternating days with meditation, yoga, or TaiChi will put you in that place of equilibrium.

Jan

http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/7/1674_52147.htm

Sounds great. I will try that. Thank you.

Have you tried Forvia? It's specially formulated for people with IBD or absorption problems. It's great and the only vitamin I've ever noticed that actually makes a difference. http://www.forvia.com

kathy

No I haven't. I'll check it out. Thanks for the post.

Steve as well as the water you do need to watch your mineral salts - particularly sodium. It may be you're low on these and that could be causing you to suffer from dehydration more when you're running.

Mike is right. I forgot to add Hydralyte to my post: http://www.gookinaid.biz/ This stuff is also amazing. It's the electrolyte replacement product they sell at the Grand Canyon for that trek down and back in 400 degree weather.

kathy

Mike- Thanks for your post. I don't know that I'm experiencing dehydration. I don't have any of the symptoms associated with it. I drink 12-16 oz of water prior to my run, don't experience dry mouth when I'm running and am not that thirsty when I return home. My only problem is that maybe once a week I'll feel more fatigued than usual during my run which will cause my breathing to be more labored than usual.

I have joint and muscle pain plus fatigue, and blood tests showed a vitamin D deficiency. You could always look into that, too...

Thanks. My blood tests came back negative. It's frustrating when nothing is detected.