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Published on: Apr 16, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Vitamin D: The One Time We Will Recommend Supplements

Whilst we wouldn’t recommend taking multivitamins unless advised by a doctor, vitamin D is a different beast. This vitamin is special as we can produce it in our own bodies from cholesterol, with one step of the reaction requiring sunlight, and another two steps performed in the kidney and liver. The vitamin is key in maintaining calcium balance in our bodies, ensuring that we have enough to keep our bones strong and well mineralised, but not to excessive levels that can cause nerve dysfunction, muscle spasms and even cardiac arrythmias.

As we have moved to working indoors in offices, with more sedentary lifestyles at home, vitamin D deficiency has become more of a problem. This is especially true as you travel to countries which are closer to the north or south poles, as in winter times sunlit hours become shorter, and cloudy weather becomes more prevalent. People with dark skin have more melanin in their skin, designed to block UV light, and are more prone to deficiency. Similarly, people who cover their skin for cultural reasons or due to health reasons (sensitive skin or a history of skin cancer) may face similar issues.

In many European countries Vitamin D deficiency is common across the population, but largely undiagnosed except in the most severe of circumstances. Symptoms can be very generic, including fatigue and tiredness, depressive symptoms, muscle pain, with more severe deficiencies leading to osteoporosis (weaker, more brittle bones).

In the elderly this can lead to a higher risk of fractures after a fall. Whilst the bone may take weeks to heal, the physiological and psychological implications often last months, and sometimes a person may never recover to their baseline without intense physiotherapy and support from their regular physician. For this reason elderly patients are often put on bone protection with weekly doses of Vitamin D.

What about the general population? Well, the advice may surprise you. Though we have advocated against immune boosting foods, multivitamins and many fads that propagate on social media, we would actually advise people to take vitamin D supplements, especially those who are at risk of deficiency:

Limited sun exposure on skin
Darker skin
Living in cloudy regions or countries with lower sun exposure
Vegans, or those with a poor diet
Pregnant and breastfeeding women,
Elderly (above 65)
Those with obesity or have had gastric bypass surgery

In these instances, we would recommend supplementing your diet with Vitamin D at low doses. This advice is evidence based, and supported by the UK Clinical guidelines (National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence), guidelines that are very stringent in providing treatments that have strong evidence and unbiased, highly critiqued research behind them.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

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Why Preventive Healthcare Is More Important Than Treatment: A Smarter Approach to Health

Healthcare systems worldwide are shifting focus from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. While medical treatments have advanced significantly, preventing disease before it develops remains the most effective strategy for long-term health.

Understanding why preventive healthcare is more important than treatment empowers individuals to take control of their wellbeing and reduce future health risks.

What Is Preventive Healthcare?

Preventive healthcare involves measures taken to avoid disease rather than treating it after symptoms appear.

It includes:

Routine health checkups
Vaccinations
Blood pressure monitoring
Diabetes screening
Cancer screening
Healthy lifestyle habits

The goal is early detection and risk reduction.

1. Early Detection Saves Lives

Many serious conditions develop silently, including:

Diabetes
Hypertension
Heart disease
Cancer

Regular screening identifies these conditions at an early stage when treatment is more effective and less invasive.

2. Reduces Healthcare Costs

Treating advanced diseases often involves:

Hospitalization
Surgery
Long-term medication
Intensive care

Preventive care reduces these costs by identifying risks early and managing them promptly.

3. Improves Quality of Life

Prevention focuses on maintaining optimal health.

Healthy individuals experience:

Higher energy levels
Better productivity
Improved mental wellbeing
Reduced stress

Staying healthy enhances overall life satisfaction.

4. Prevents Chronic Diseases

Lifestyle diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders are largely preventable.

Preventive measures include:

Balanced nutrition
Regular exercise
Smoking cessation
Stress management

These habits significantly lower disease risk.

5. Reduces Complications

Early management prevents complications such as:

Kidney damage from diabetes
Stroke from uncontrolled hypertension
Heart attacks due to high cholesterol

Preventive healthcare minimizes disease progression.

6. Encourages Health Awareness

Routine checkups increase awareness about:

Body weight
Blood sugar levels
Cholesterol
Nutritional deficiencies

Awareness motivates positive lifestyle changes.

Preventive Healthcare in the Indian Context

India faces rising rates of lifestyle diseases.

Urbanization, sedentary jobs and dietary changes have increased non-communicable diseases.

Preventive healthcare initiatives such as annual health screenings and awareness programs are critical to reducing the national disease burden.

Key Components of Preventive Care

Regular Health Screenings

Blood pressure checks
Blood sugar tests
Lipid profile
Thyroid tests

Vaccinations

Influenza
Hepatitis
COVID-19
Tetanus

Vaccines prevent infectious diseases.

Lifestyle Modification

Healthy diet
Daily exercise
Adequate sleep
Stress reduction

These form the foundation of prevention.

Treatment vs Prevention: A Comparison

Prevention	Treatment
Focuses on avoiding disease	Focuses on managing disease
Lower cost	Higher cost
Less invasive	Often invasive
Long-term benefits	May involve side effects

Prevention reduces risk before complications arise.

When Should Preventive Care Begin?

Preventive healthcare is important at every stage of life.

Adults above 30 years should undergo annual health checkups, especially if they have:

Family history of chronic disease
Sedentary lifestyle
Obesity
Smoking habits

Early intervention makes a measurable difference.

Overcoming Barriers to Prevention

Common challenges include:

Lack of time
Fear of diagnosis
Financial concerns

Solutions involve:

Corporate health programs
Insurance coverage for screenings
Digital health platforms

Encouraging routine checkups improves participation.

The Long-Term Impact of Prevention

Consistent preventive care leads to:

Increased life expectancy
Reduced healthcare burden
Improved economic productivity
Healthier communities

Healthy populations contribute to national growth.

Conclusion

Preventive healthcare is more important than treatment because it addresses health risks before they escalate into serious conditions. Early detection, regular screenings and healthy lifestyle habits reduce disease burden, save costs and improve quality of life.

While treatment remains essential when illness occurs, prevention offers a smarter and more sustainable approach to long-term wellbeing.

Taking proactive steps today can protect your health for years to come. Prevention is not just a medical strategy — it is a commitment to a healthier future.

References

Indian Council of Medical Research – Preventive Health Reports
World Health Organization – Preventive Healthcare Guidelines
National Family Health Survey – Lifestyle Disease Data
NITI Aayog – Health Strategy Reports
Lancet Global Health – Preventive Medicine Research

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