The Importance of Vitamin D Supplementation in Different Periods of Woman’s Life

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is involved in numerous reactions in the human body, as well as in the regulation of about 3% of the human genome. Research shows that insufficient concentration of vitamin D in the blood is found in 40-50% of the population. The total intake of vitamin D through food is very low, only 20% of the total daily needs. This paper shows importance of vitamin D supplementation in different periods of woman’s life. OBJECTIVE: To estimate average plasma levels of vitamin D3 in all researched group and establish which group should be supplemented with vitamin D3. METHODS: The study included 182 women, divided in appropriate groups according to age, who came regularly for annual gynecological check-ups. Total concentration of 25 (OH) vitamin D in plasma was determined by a competitive immunochemical test. RESULTS: The average value of vitamin D3 plasma level in patients aged 18 to 45 was 24,409 ng/ml, in the patients aged 46 to 55 years was 27,519 ng/ml and in the patients aged 56 and over 31,960 ng/ml. The results obtained indicate a vitamin D shortage in the first two groups of patients and an adequate vitamin D3 levels in third group of patients. Vitamin D supplementation is required in patients aged 18 to 55 years. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D shortage is present in two groups of patients. Because of complex role that this vitamin plays in numerous reactions in human body adequate supplementation is necessary.