Vitamins
Welcome! Here you will find vitamins that have research showing benefit for a particular disease or health issue.
Vitamin A | Thiamine (B1) | Riboflavin (B2) | Niacin (B3) | Pantothenic Acid (B5) | Pyridoxine (B6) | Folic Acid (B9) | Cyanocobalamin (B12) | Vitamin B Complex | Cholecalciferol (D3) | Tocopherol (Vitamin E) | Phytonadione (Vitamin K) | Multi-Vitamins
Vitamin A deficiency
10,000 to 20,000 units by mouth daily for 2 months or as directed by health care provider
Thiamine Deficiency: MVI with 5 to 10mg of thiamine taken by mouth once daily for one month or as directed by health care professional following intramuscular thiamine injections
Supplementation: 100mg once or twice daily (rare to have single vitamin deficiency; evaluate for other deficiencies)
Dietary supplement: 50mg by mouth twice daily or 100mg once daily
NOTE: Niacin is no longer recommended for high cholesterol except in specific clinical situations (must see health care provider for evaluation)
Slo-Niacin 250-750mg by mouth once daily, taken in the morning or evening as directed. Do not take more than 500mg daily unless directed by health care provider.
Immediate release niacin: 250mg by mouth once daily (with evening meal); increase frequency and/or dose every 4 to 7 days to desired response (1.5 to 2g daily in 2 to 3 divided doses); after 2 months may increase at 2 to 4 week intervals to 3g daily in three divided doses (Maximum dose is 6g daily in 3 divided doses)
Dietary Supplement: One tablet daily
Vitamin B6 deficiency: Doses up to 600mg by mouth daily may be needed with pyridoxine dependency syndrome following intramuscular or intravenous administration (as directed by physician)
Prevention of neuropathy (nerve pain) associated with isoniazid therapy for Mycobacterium tuberculosis: 25 to 50mg by mouth once daily
Anemia due to folic acid deficiency: 400mcg to 1mg daily (MD will dose)
Deficiency (may also use in combination with Folic Acid)
1) Vitamin B12 1,000 to 2,000mcg by mouth daily for one to two weeks then 1,000mcg by mouth daily
Mild B12 deficiency (malabsorption, metformin use, chronic acid reducing medication use): 500 to 1,000mcg by mouth once daily
Severe B12 Deficiency (gastrectomy, ileal resection, inflammatory bowel disease): 1,000 to 2,000mcg by mouth once daily for life
Gastric Bypass surgery: 350 to 500mcg (oral disintegrating tablet, sublingual, or liquid) once daily OR 1,000 to 2,000mcg once daily for life
Vitamin B Complex
NOTE: Vitamin D2 is a prescription only formulation of Vitamin D and 2,000 units is the maximum daily dose for supplementation (not treatment)
Vitamin D deficiency PREVENTION: 1,500 to 2,000 units daily to maintain serum vitamin D level of >30ng/mL
Vitamin D TREATMENT: 6,000 units by mouth daily for 8 weeks to achieve serum vitamin D level of >30ng/mL; followed by maintenance dose of 1,500 to 2,000 units by mouth daily
Osteoporosis prevention: For adults 50 years and older; 800 to 1,000 units per day
Dietary Supplement: 100 to 400 units by mouth daily or 30 units by mouth daily for the oral drops
Children with Vitamin E deficiency from malabsorption syndrome: Dose is based on serum concentration (see health care provider)
Cystic fibrosis supplementation: 1 month to 12 months old: 40 to 50 units per day; 1 year old to 3 years old: 80 to 150 units per day; 4 to 8 years old: 100 to 200 units per day and >8 years old: 200 to 400 units per day
Unsupported Use of Vitamin E
NOTE: Vitamin E may slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease but dose should not exceed 400 units per day and not used in combination with the prescription drug Selegiline. Some guidelines state to not use Vitamin E as treatment for Alzheimer's Disease. Please speak with health care professional first.
Nerve pain associated with shingles: Vitamin E has no benefit
Prevention of Cardiovascular disease: Vitamin E has no beneficial effect on reducing cardiovascular risk, and can not be recommended for primary or secondary prevention
Topical Vitamin E: May help with temporary relief of minor skin disorders such as diaper rash, burns, sunburn, dry or chapped skin
Vitamin K is typically used to reverse the effects of the anticoagulant (blood thinner) Coumadin (warfarin). This should only be taken for decreasing the effects of warfarin as directed by a health care professional
Multivitamins:
1) One-A-Day Multivitamin
2) Centrum and Centrum Silver
3) ADEK's/Bariatric Multivitamins (prevent or treat vitamin deficiency; these are Fat-soluble vitamins)
4) Prenatal Multivitamins