Doctor is responsible to advise us whether it is primarily necessary to obtain vitamins and then to recommend their proper mode and time of use.

Vitamins are substances that are essential for proper growth and functioning of our body. They are divided into two basic categories: water-soluble vitamins (vitamin C and vitamin B complex) and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).

The water-soluble vitamins (found in fruits, vegetables, grains, meat, nuts, etc.) are stored in the body for a short period and they are excreted by the kidneys.

On the contrary, the fat-soluble vitamins (contained in animal fats, vegetable oils, dairy products, oily fish) are absorbed from the intestine together with the fat and stored in the liver and adipose tissues.

Very simply, water soluble vitamins need to be regularly replaced in contrast to the fat-soluble vitamins that are storable and are discharged much more slowly from the body. The latter, due to a prolonged stay in the body, can cause toxicity risk in case of overconsumption.

The Role of Vitamin D

Important development in the field of prevention involves vitamin D. The body can synthesize 90% of vitamin D in the skin through solar radiation and receives only 10% from food (eggs, milk, cereals, oily fish). The adequacy of vitamin D is evaluated by measuring the hydroxylated form of (25-hydroxyvitamin-D and 25-OH Vit D) defining reliable levels of total vitamin D in the blood.
Many times it is measuring the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, or calcitriol (bioactive form) that is not represent the total vitamin D.
 
The protective role of vitamin D is multiple:
 
- It fortifies bones and prevents osteoporosis, especially in postmenopausal women
- It has antitumor activity, especially against colon cancer and other malignancies (endometrial, breast, skin, pancreas, prostate, lymphoma)
- It strengthens the immune system and body's defenses
- It reduces the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis in women
- It boosts the metabolism and helps to maintain a healthy body weight
- It helps the cognitive function and reduces the risk of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson and multiple sclerosis
- It reduces the risk of heart disease and premature death

Opinions differ on the ideal price levels of 25-OH Vit D, but the goal is to be able to maintain over 50 ngr / ml all year round. This means that once you take vitamin D at the recommended dosage by the doctor, its levels must be measured every 3 months in order to achieve the goal. It is also recommended to avoid taking large doses of vitamin A because it reduces the effect of vitamin D. Therefore, maintaining normal levels of total vitamin D in the body is important for the prevention of many pathologies of aging and at the same time for the improvement of physical and mental health.

There are cases where vitamin supplementation is necessary, for example in certain health problems i.e. in pregnant women, vegetarians or, in cases where somebody does not have balanced and proper nourishment due to workload for example.
The dosage and frequency of taking the vitamin is customized by the doctor including medical record, physical examination and laboratory testing.
 
If you want to invest in preventing your health and improve your lifestyle it is advisable to consult an expert before purchasing any product.

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