From the Guidelines
Vitamins are essential micronutrients that play a crucial role in maintaining normal physiological function, growth, and maintenance, and should be obtained through a balanced diet whenever possible, with supplements recommended only when medically indicated, as supported by the most recent evidence from 1 and 1. In healthcare, vitamins are considered vital components in various metabolic processes, including energy production, immune function, blood clotting, and cellular repair.
- Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) can be stored in the body's fatty tissues,
- while water-soluble vitamins (B complex and C) are not stored significantly and require regular intake. Healthcare providers often recommend vitamin supplements when patients have deficiencies due to poor diet, certain medical conditions, medications that interfere with vitamin absorption, or increased needs during pregnancy or aging. However, it's essential to note that while vitamins are crucial for health, excessive intake of certain vitamins, particularly fat-soluble ones, can lead to toxicity and adverse effects, which is why healthcare professionals typically assess individual needs before recommending supplementation, as seen in the guidelines for pediatric parenteral nutrition 1 and adult bariatric surgery patients 1. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, recommends that infants and children receiving parenteral nutrition should receive parenteral vitamins, with specific dosing guidelines for vitamins A, D, E, K, and B complex, as well as other essential nutrients. Similarly, 1 provides guidelines for vitamin supplementation in adult bariatric surgery patients, emphasizing the importance of routine multivitamin-mineral supplements, calcium, vitamin D, iron, and other essential nutrients to prevent deficiencies and promote overall health. Overall, vitamins play a critical role in maintaining optimal health, and healthcare providers should carefully assess individual needs and recommend supplementation only when necessary, based on the most recent and highest quality evidence available, such as 1 and 1.
From the Research
Vitamins in Healthcare
Vitamins play a crucial role in maintaining overall health, including eye health and cardiovascular well-being. The following vitamins are considered important in healthcare:
- Vitamin A: associated with a low prevalence of glaucoma 2, 3 and crucial for maintaining healthy vision 4, 5
- Vitamin B: high-dose intake of vitamins B associated with a low prevalence of glaucoma 2, and vitamin B12 is important for maintaining metabolic profile and decreasing homocysteine level 6
- Vitamin C: may have a protective effect on open-angle glaucoma 3, and is important for improving endothelial function and metabolic profile 6
- Vitamin D: associated with a low prevalence of glaucoma 2, and is important for inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and improving endothelial function 6
- Vitamin E: important for antioxidant effects and improving endothelial function 6, but not associated with a low prevalence of glaucoma 2, 3
- Vitamin K: important for reversing calcification of arteries and metabolic profile 6
Importance of Vitamins in Disease Prevention
Vitamins are essential for preventing various diseases, including:
- Age-related macular degeneration: vitamin A, B, C, D, and E are recommended for treatment 4
- Glaucoma: high-dose intake of vitamins A and B, but not vitamins C, D, or E, is associated with a low prevalence of glaucoma 2
- Cardiovascular diseases: vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, and K status is important in evaluating cardiovascular risk, and vitamin supplementation may be an effective therapy 6
- Eye-related issues: nutrient deficiencies can lead to various eye-related issues, from night blindness to age-related conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration 5