Definition
Vigantoletten® is a vitamin preparation in tablet form that contains vitamin D3 (synonym Cholecalciferol). It is used in case of a deficiency or to prevent a lack of vitamin D3 and a resulting disturbance in calcium metabolism. In general, Vigantoletten® are used for all types of vitamin D3 deficiency as long as there is no uptake disorder for vitamin D3 or calcium in the gastrointestinal tract.
In particular, the use of Vigantoletten® is recommended as an additional measure for patients with already existing osteoporosis – a disease with decreasing bone density, the so-called “bone loss”. It is also used for the prevention of rickets – a calcification disorder in the growth age. Vigantoletten® are also used for a calcification disorder of the bones in adulthood, osteomalacia.
Effect of vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is absorbed in the intestines and distributed throughout the body via the bloodstream. It serves the regulation of the calcium metabolism in the body, so that only with sufficiently high Vitamin D3 concentration a need-fair admission at calcium in the intestine is possible. The taken up calcium is used by the body among other things for the bone structure and provides for a high stability of the bone.
The active ingredient
The active ingredient colecalciferol or also cholecalciferol, which is contained in Vigantoletten®, is also called vitamin D. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, is absorbed into the body in the small intestine. It is naturally contained in foods such as fish and eggs, but can also be produced entirely by the body itself. In food, it is usually present as an inactive precursor and must first be activated, because only the activated form is able to perform the tasks that the vitamin has.
The production of the vitamin in the body, which is also a hormone, is extremely complex and involves several steps, some of which take place in the skin, liver and kidneys. As already mentioned, it plays a crucial role in the calcium and phosphate balance. It promotes the absorption of these two elements into the body and ensures that they are released from the bones when the concentrations of calcium or phosphate in the blood fall.
This means that the bones are the human stores of calcium and phosphate. Conversely, however, it also ensures that calcium in particular is incorporated into the bones when they become too unstable. Vitamin D itself can be stored in fat cells and released when needed.
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