Emphasizing that vitamins cannot be produced by the body and must be taken from the outside with food, Prof. Halis Köylü said that the excess of vitamins causes diseases as well as their deficiency.
Emphasizing that very high doses of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) are definitely toxic, Prof. Halis Köylü said that "Excess vitamin A can cause anorexia, headache, enlargement of the liver and spleen, bone pain, excess vitamin D, widespread calcification in soft tissues and kidney failure, excess vitamin E, deterioration in vitamin K metabolism, and disruptions in the blood clotting process."
Stating that many experts recommend multivitamins in amounts that do not exceed the daily need, as their potential benefits are more than their harms, Prof. Halis Köylü said, "Vitamin supplements are very useful in people with conditions such as malnutrition, malabsorption and advanced age, provided that they are taken in recommended amounts. The general opinion is that it is more accurate to consume vitamins in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits."
Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine, Head of the Department of Physiology Prof. Halis Köylü made important statements about when, how and in what way vitamins should be taken.
Improper use of vitamins leads to metabolic deficiencies
Emphasizing that vitamins are simple compounds that are necessary for normal body functions and that they must be taken with food because they cannot be produced by the body, Prof. Köylü said that "They are naturally found in foods. Today, some vitamins are produced synthetically. Vitamins are organic compounds that are necessary in small amounts for normal body metabolism, but cannot be made in the body's cells. The need for vitamins varies depending on the size of the body, growth rate, exercise level, illness and fever, pregnancy and lactation (lactating women have a special need for vitamin D). The absence of vitamins in the diet or the pathological inability to use them properly leads to metabolic deficiencies."
Vitamins can deteriorate as a result of contact with oxygen, sunlight, heat and metals
Explaining that vitamins are resistance-enhancing and regulating organic molecules, they cannot be digested, do not participate in the structure of the cell and do not give energy, Prof. Halis Köylü stated that "Some vitamins act as coenzymes (organic molecules that increase the effectiveness of enzymes and help them work) in the structure of enzymes. Deficiency of these vitamins stops biochemical reactions. Vitamins can deteriorate as a result of contact with oxygen, sunlight, heat and metals (such as copper, iron)."
To date, 13 vitamins have been identified
Noting that 13 vitamins have been identified so far, including A, B complex (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, B12), vitamins C, D, E and K, Prof. Halis Köylü continued his remarks as follows:
"Nine vitamins (B complex and C vitamins) are classified as water-soluble vitamins, while four vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) are classified as fat-soluble vitamins. Water-soluble vitamins are usually easily obtained from food, easily absorbed, and easily excreted from the body. Therefore, water-soluble vitamins are poorly stored in the body. But vitamin B12 is an exception. Vitamin B12 is stored in the liver for 3-4 years. Water-soluble vitamins are consumed very quickly because they are very little stored in the body. Fortunately, many foods are rich in these vitamins. On the other hand, fat-soluble vitamins are poorly absorbed in the deficiency/absence of bile and/or pancreatic enzymes; For their absorption, nutrients must be taken with fats. Fat-soluble vitamins are very well stored in the body and cannot be easily removed from the body. Therefore, high doses of fat-soluble vitamins are toxic to the body."
Vitamins play a role as catalysts in the conversion of nutrients into energy
Stating that vitamins are necessary for the fulfillment of special cell functions, Prof. Halis Köylü made the following remarks:
"Most water-soluble vitamins act as coenzymes to various enzymes. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins do not have the function of coenzymes; only one (vitamin K) has coenzyme function. Vitamins do not give energy, they play a role as a catalyst in the conversion of food into energy. They accelerate chemical reactions without changing themselves. For this, vitamins are needed in very small quantities. Each vitamin has a different role in the body; Some act as antioxidants, while others are effective in tissue growth and differentiation. Others act in a similar way to hormones. Vitamin A is related to vision, most of the B complex vitamins are related to the regulation of metabolic events (as coenzymes), vitamin B9 (folic acid) and vitamin B12 (cobalamin) are related to blood production, vitamin C is related to strengthening the immune system and wound healing, vitamin D is related to the absorption of calcium from the intestines and its accumulation in the bone, vitamin E is related to reproduction, and vitamin K is related to coagulation.
Babies need more vitamin K intake through food
Stating that vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with the effect of sunlight, vitamin K and biotin (vitamin B7) are produced by intestinal bacteria, and vitamin B12 is stored at a particularly high rate, Prof. Halis Köylü said that "For this reason, deficiencies of these vitamins due to food intake are rare. Since babies have less gut flora and less vitamin K stores, they need more vitamin K intake from food compared to adults."
Improper intake of vitamins leads to metabolic deficiencies
Explaining that the need for vitamins varies depending on the size of the body, growth rate, exercise level, illness and fever, pregnancy and lactation (there is a special need for vitamin D in lactating women), Prof. Halis Köylü expressed that "The absence of vitamins in the diet or their inappropriate intake leads to metabolic deficiencies. Deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins is especially observed in cases where fat absorption is impaired in the intestines. Other intestinal diseases also affect vitamin absorption in general, causing a deficiency of both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins."
How are vitamins absorbed?
Noting that vitamins have a vital role in biochemical reactions in the body and are defined as small molecules that must be taken through food because they cannot be synthesized in the body, Prof. Halis Köylü said that "Fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K are taken in the form of esters and must be digested with cholesterol esterase after absorption. In addition, these vitamins are largely insoluble in the intestine and therefore their absorption depends entirely on their absorption into the mycelia (the clumping together of surface molecules that disperse in any solution). In cases where bile cannot be excreted from the intestine due to the absence of pancreatic enzymes or bile duct obstruction, fat absorption decreases, and accordingly, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins also decreases."
Most of the vitamins are absorbed in the upper parts of the small intestine
Stating that while most of the vitamins are absorbed in the upper parts of the small intestine, vitamin B12 is absorbed in the lower part of the small intestine, Prof. Halis Köylü said, "Vitamin B12 is absorbed by binding with a protein called intrinsic factor (IF) secreted from the stomach. The absorption of water-soluble vitamins vitamin B12 and folic acid is independent of sodium ion (Na⁺). However, the absorption of seven other water-soluble vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, pantothenic acid, biotin, and ascorbic acid) occurs together with the sodium ion (Na⁺)."
An excess of vitamins also causes diseases
Emphasizing that it should not be forgotten that very high doses of fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E and K) are definitely toxic, Prof. Halis Köylü said, "Taking vitamins more than the recommended daily dose can lead to their accumulation at toxic levels and related hypervitaminosis. It can manifest itself with symptoms such as vitamin A excess (hypervitaminosis A), anorexia, headache, hepatosplenomegaly (enlargement of the liver and spleen), restlessness, dermatitis, hair loss, bone pain and hyperostosis (abnormal growth in bone tissue). Excess vitamin D (D hypervitaminosis) is associated with weight loss, widespread calcification (calcification) in soft tissues and kidney failure as a result. Excess vitamin E can cause dysfunctions of various hormones, disruptions in vitamin K metabolism, disruptions in the blood clotting process (coagulation) and deterioration in leukocyte (white blood cell) functions. Excess vitamin K is characterized by digestive system disorders and anemia."
Intake of high doses of vitamin B6 also leads to peripheral neuropathy
On the other hand, noting that high doses of water-soluble vitamins (folic acid, cobalamin, ascorbic acid, pyridoxine, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, biotin and pantothenic acid) are thought not to cause any problems because they can be rapidly removed from the body, Prof. Halis Köylü said, "However, it has been shown that high doses of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) intake can cause peripheral neuropathy (peripheral nerves disease)."
There is no strong evidence that vitamin supplementation prevents the development of cancer
Stating that many experts recommend multivitamins in amounts that do not exceed the daily need, since the potential benefits are more than the harms, Prof. Halis Köylü concluded his words as follows:
"Vitamin supplements, provided that they are taken in recommended amounts, are very useful in people with conditions such as malnutrition, malabsorption and advanced age. Vitamin supplements provide adequate intake for vitamins that are likely to be deficient (folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and vitamin D). However, the evidence is not enough to recommend or reject vitamins A, C or E, multivitamins with folic acid, antioxidant compositions for protection from cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Most experts are against the use of single or combined B-carotene to prevent cancer or cardiovascular disease. There is no strong evidence that vitamin supplementation prevents the development of cancer. The general opinion is that it is better to consume vitamins in the form of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)