[General use of vitamin supplementation]

Current scientific wisdom has it that the general supplementation with vitamins is unnecessary. For certain risk groups, such as infants, pregnant women and the aged,the prophylactic administration of vitamins may be useful. Otherwise,vitamin supplementation of the diet may have a positive impact on health at most in persons with a suboptimal vitamin supply via their usual nutrients. A supplementation should be preceded by a history-taking (e.g. via a dietary protocol). Over the long-term, pharmacological doses of vitamins can give rise to adverse side effects.