Vitamines are mostly extracted from Phyto-Chemical origin just like Vit A ( Retinol ) - Extracted from Carrot Juice . Synthetic Vitamines like Ribiflavin are sold in market in Tablet form . In tablet /casule not only basic drugs but during formulation other binders ,exepients are present . Just Like Vit C ( Ascorbic

Acid ) - The source is any Citrous Foods like Oranje Juice ie the purest form of

Vit-C . But in Tablet the efficasy will be slightly less due to presence of other tablet

formulations .

The accepted view is that synthetic nutrients are almost chemically identical to those found in food. However, the production process of synthetic nutrients is very different to the way plants and animals create them. So despite having a similar structure, your body may react differently to synthetic nutrients.

Additionally, it's unclear how well synthetic nutrients are absorbed and used in the body. Some may be more easily absorbed, not others. This is because when you eat real food, you're not consuming single nutrients, but rather a whole range of vitamins, minerals, co-factors and enzymes that allow for optimal use by the body.

Without these additional compounds, synthetic nutrients are unlikely to be used by the body in the same way as their natural counterparts. For example, studies show that natural vitamin E is absorbed twice as efficiently as synthetic vitamin E.

BOTTOM LINE :It is unclear how well synthetic nutrients are absorbed and used in the body. Your body will use nutrients best when taken in whole food form, with a wide variety of food compounds.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/synthetic-vs-natural-nutrients#section2

Dear Doctor Oliver,

Thank you very much for such an exhaustive answer.

Nevertheless, could you clarify, please, does climate play a role? I mean, would it be more appropriate to take vitamin pills in Russia or Finland, than, for example, in Italy or Portugal?

Igor hello,

It is best to obtain vitamins from natural food - raw, steam-cooked, fermented.

Sometimes however, due to the consumption of same/ similar food items (non-seasonal consumption, fake food), influx of saliva-/air-born pathogens, or other inflammation processes in the body, humans may need an extra boost - either in the form of amino acid/vitamin liquid or solid pill/ capsule vitamins (the first type does get absorbed faster).

I am not working for any pharmaceutical company, so, please do not get my recommendation as a commercial. It is a recommendation only.

I have found that solid vitamins with depo or retard function (i.e. slower release) provide some relief.

You should have access to Doppel Herz Aktiv hard-form vitamins (German make).

A good alternative would also be the DHC range from Japan. They have a wide range and are reported to be very efficacious. I do not know though, if you would be able to procure them.

Before taking anything though, please, do consult with your GP (based on your body condition) on the need and type of vitamins to take, if any.

Never take multi-vitamins after 4 o'clock in the afternoon and, certainly, without physician's informed guidance.

:)

Hello, Valeria,

Thank you so much for your answer. I'm impressed not only by your expertise, but by your truly humanistic and caring for people attitude.

I value your advice very highly, it was like going in person to an excellent doctor. It seems to me that now I understand the issue perfectly well.

Just a little explanation, if I may, as for my reason to ask this question. I used to take vitamin pills pretty often (to be honest, not always bothering to consult a GP about whether I should take multivitamins or not). Then I ceased taking them completely. By the way, I didn't feel much (if any) difference. A little later a GP recommended multivitamins as being fairly good for one's health (in general and as a booster during a flu epidemic). Almost at the same time a very well-known Russian doctor said on TV that multivitamins are useless at best. I found this discrepancy so misleading, that I decided to ask this question. Now I see that I was right doing so :)

One can easily buy the German vitamins you mention in this country, on the other hand, I've never seen any multivitamins of this Japanese range in our pharmacies. Perhaps I just didn't pay attention. But I think that I still could get them on order, if necessary.

Thank you very much again for your kind advice.

Igor hello,

You praise me too much. I have done nothing to deserve it.

Yes, there are different opinions among colleagues on the virtue of taking vitamins.

Some believe that you take vitamins and you pee them out in 20 minutes or so, with no beneficial effect whatsoever.

Others consider that a person's body may not need all the vitamins in a multi-vitamin formula, given at one time. They recommend to take vitamins every other day, instead of every day to avoid concentration.

A third group advises on a regular use.

It does depend on the specialty and the school of thought each physician follows.

The truth, I believe, is somewhere in the middle. There are times when one may need, as I said, a little boost, and times where such is not needed.

Only a physician though can judge, based on a bio-chemical panel of exams on the patient, whether vitamins are necessary at all.

If your GP advises taking vitamins in general, without having informed him/herself on what the current needs of your body are, please, consult a physician-nutritionist instead.

You should not expect to feel the effects of vitamins profoundly. You could feel slightly more energetic and not so easily tired.

I do not know whether this is a good store (or if the prices are good), but here are the Japanese vitamins I was talking about (if you get vitamins prescribed at all). This is not the full range though:

https://vitamina.ru/search?q=DHC+%D0%92%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B+

:)

Hello, Valeria,

On the contrary, you have done a lot to deserve it.

Yes, it appears to be one of the moot points of medicine, at least, as far as I can judge. That is why it is so important to obtain the opinion of someone you trust.

I remember now that an American physician (I can't think of his name now) said that the only virtue of multivitamins is to make your urine very expensive.

Of course, I cannot but agree with you, that the truth is somewhere in the middle, as you said. (And probably not only as far as the multivitamins are concerned, it is often true for controversial issues)

After your words I am even more convinced that one should think twice before taking any medication, and any self-medication is out of the question. The problem is that medical check ups are sometimes very time-consuming, and even somewhat stressful. They can also be expensive. But, apparently, one just cannot do without them.

Thanks a lot for your answer and the link.

Best wishes,

Igor

Igor hello,

Yes. As scientists (and since human life is on the line) we are obliged by humanity, ethics and reason to check for evidence of need first.

All the more that medicine is a best guess based on informed & trained professional opinion + best practice, as understood today. Similar to any other science, medicine evolves over time.

In times of change, therefore, it is best to be cautious.

I can totally understand your viewpoint on medical check ups.

Unfortunately, we do not have advanced enough machinery to be able to see inside the body and diagnose medical conditions without causing physical pain, mental anguish, or future harm to the body.

Perhaps one day...

For now, damage control is all we can offer. "Treat others, like you yourself want to be treated."

As to financial matters, I also understand.

There is a credo though that I personally follow - saving money for "hard times" is justified for health reasons mainly; everything else is secondary.

:)

Hello, Valeria,

Thank you very much for your answer. Yes, you are absolutely right.

Speaking about your profession, it is certainly one of the most necessary and difficult, and (one of) the noblest.

I think that this profession requires a particularly strong and resilient personality. Compared to laymen, doctors know all about the fragility and vulnerability of a human. Therefore, sometimes, if a doctor falls ill (which, unfortunately, also can happen), he/she is even deprived of the saving grace of doubt.

Two Russian writers, A. Chekhov and M.Gorky both had TB at the time when this disease was fatal. According to Gorky, A.Chekhov, who was aware of his state, suffered terribly (mainly psychologically) and spent a lot on all kinds of tests, check ups and attempts at treatment. Nevertheless, after all this psychological and financial hell, he died aged only 44. However, Gorky, who paid much less attention to his malady (he moved to Italy, though), died aged 68. Either his form of TB was less virulent, or the body more resistant, or, maybe even psychology, his mindset had something to do with it.

It drifted a bit from the vitamins, but again, to sum up, my idea is that a doctor has to have a stronger personality than his/her patients.

Vitamines are mostly extracted from Phyto-Chemical origin just like Vit A ( Retinol ) - Extracted from Carrot Juice . Synthetic Vitamines like Ribiflavin are sold in market in Tablet form . In tablet /casule not only basic drugs but during formulation other binders ,exepients are present . Just Like Vit C ( Ascorbic

Acid ) - The source is any Citrous Foods like Oranje Juice ie the purest form of

Vit-C . But in Tablet the efficasy will be slightly less due to presence of other tablet

formulations .

I agree with Jaydip Datta. All this is right.

Natural (I mean those extracted from juices or fruit pulp, or fresh fish) vitamins are probably better than those chemically synthesized, but they must be way more expensive, and hence less accessible.

People who live in hot countries with fertile soil are lucky, because they can replenish their inner vitamins and minerals reserves just by eating plenty of cheap and fresh fruit, either from their orchards, or from markets. I believe that in this case the fresher, the better.

Igor hello,

Yes. It can be difficult. Knowledge can sometimes be an impediment.

It is difficult to witness human pain and suffering. Almost everyone has a family and is loved by somebody.

We must be strong for the sake of the patient and his/her relatives too.

On the literary note, Gorky most probably lived longer due to the change of climate. Similar faith and medical recommendation received also Sissi, Empress of Austria, although she did get better on the island of Corfu.

A wonderful book on the subject of tuberculosis (of which, I am sure, you are aware) is The Magic Mountain, by Thomas Mann. :)

Hello, Valeria,

Thank you for your answer. I do appreciate what you write to me. I think you have the gift to share something positive with people who communicate with you. (It has nothing to do with exaggerated praise, it is what I actually think and feel)

Yes, " For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow".

In this case I take it in the sense that though you doctors and medical researchers gain valuable knowledge without sparing either your efforts or your time in order to save your patients and alleviate their condition, sometimes it is very psychologically depressing for you, which you seem to confirm. The more is your merit.

Yes, of course, I read this book. There is another book that I read a score of years ago or so, when still a student. It is "The Diary of a Country Priest" by G. Bernanos. (I think there is also a film) A famous doctor diagnoses a rural priest with a fatal disease, but the doctor himself is slowly dying from a condition he knows only too well for having thoroughly studied it for his degree. But the doctor continues working because he wants to earn as much money as he can in order to leave it to his family. The book made a strong impression on me. The courage of the doctor is almost beyond belief. If you have not read the book, I would advise you to at least look through it .

But, I believe, one has to try and stay optimistic. Presumably, it's good for our health.

With kind regards,

Igor

Igor hello,

Thank you yet again :)

Our lives are difficult as it is. On occasion, support received from a stranger on an worrisome issue, may be what one needs.

No, I have not read it.

Now that you have mentioned it, I will. It promises to be an interesting reading.

Oh, I am optimistic, just a tad realistic. ;)

I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Valeria :)

P.S. If you have other questions pertaining to health (or anything at all), I am around... :)

Hello, Valeria,

My pleasure :)

Yes, very hard indeed. In January I lost my dearly beloved father and I still cannot fully get over it. After all that I had to go through I feel still more realistic.

Maybe that's why I am especially sensitive to your psychological support. I can see in you a strong and knowledgeable person who is very kind towards people and this makes the world a little brighter.

Yes, the book is good, it is undoubtedly worth reading.

Thank you for your kind wishes.

In turn, I wish you all the best.

Special thanks for "being around". This means a lot to me.

Igor:)

Igor hello,

My heartfelt condolences.

I lost my father too, a few years back, suddenly. He passed on in his sleep. I felt as if someone stole him away from the family. We are one down, never to recover.

We are not supposed to get over a parent's loss, although we are always told that this is the natural progression of life - parents must go before their children do. Translated into practice though, it feels very rough.

Parents never truly die. We continue seeing them in ourselves, our siblings and our children. I am glad of it. This makes the grieving process a bit more bearable.

As Eastern Orthodox Christians we also have an added perspective.

I will definitely read the book.

You know where to find me should you need a chat.

Valeria :)

Hello, Valeria,

Thank you so much.

You are right, one does feel as if he was snatched from us. But I don't think one can find words to convey how one feels after such a bereavement. Very rough indeed. I would call it an excruciating psychological pain. There are so many things around that remind me of him. They say you feel a little better after a year has passed. I don't know, maybe.

It's true, I am now aware that I have more traits from my father than I thought and felt before. I detect the same intonations, gestures and so on in me that he had.

Yes, religion helps a lot.

Valeria, I appreciate very much your kind support. You have helped me a lot. Fortunately, there are people like you.

And thank you again.

Igor:)

Natural vitamins are nutritionally superior to synthetic ones.

Article Natural vitamins may be superior to synthetic ones

Please also go through the following PDF attachment.

Dear Dr. Arvind Singh ,

Thank you so much for your kind and very informative feedback. I appreciate it immensely.

Best regards

Dear Dr. Arvind Singh ,

And I would also like to thank you for this PDF attachment.

Kind regards