Promotion week in pharmacies offers free testing and comprehensive advice

Vitamin D levels can drop, especially in the dark season – a challenge that many people face, especially in the winter months. The typical symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency include increased susceptibility to infections, muscle pain and hair loss. But how can you ensure that your own vitamin D level is sufficient? In order to be able to determine this easily and uncomplicatedly, the pharmacies of the Golden Cross health network offer
January 20th – 25th, 2025 is offering a week of action with free vitamin D tests and professional advice.

Vitamin D is essential for numerous body functions. It supports bone and dental health and strengthens the immune system. Especially in the winter months, when sunlight and thus the body’s production of vitamin D decreases, it is important to ensure that there is sufficient supply. There is only a limited amount of vitamin D in food, so many people are affected by a deficiency.

Individual status: Knowledge creates security
Successful campaign weeks have already made it clear how important it is to know your own vitamin D level. That’s why the ÖGGK organizes in cooperation with Sandoz At the beginning of 2025 there will be another test option in the partner pharmacies of the Goldenes Kreuz health network. “The past few weeks of action have confirmed how essential knowledge of individual vitamin D levels is,” emphasizes Erika Sander, Secretary General of the Austrian Society of the Golden Cross. “Not everyone who notices symptoms actually has a deficiency. Conversely, many are surprised that there is an undersupply despite the lack of symptoms. The security that you get from a simple test is the basis for targeted therapy.“

Different possible symptoms
A vitamin D deficiency can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, which are often non-specific and therefore easily overlooked. The most common signs include an increased susceptibility to infections because the immune system is weakened, as well as muscle weakness and pain in the limbs, which can affect mobility. Many sufferers also report hair loss, fatigue or difficulty concentrating.

In cases of advanced undersupply, bone mineralization disorders often occur, which can manifest themselves in the form of osteoporosis, increased susceptibility to fractures or bone pain. Muscle cramps and an increased risk of falls are also possible consequences. Older people in particular and people who are exposed to little sunlight should pay attention to these symptoms and have their vitamin D status checked if necessary. The aim of the campaign is to provide information about the importance of vitamin D, to identify possible deficiency symptoms at an early stage and to support those affected with targeted prevention.

Action week with a focus on topics
During the “Vitamin D” campaign week organized by the Goldenes Kreuz health network – supported by Sandoz – those interested can determine their vitamin D status free of charge in 33 pharmacies throughout Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland. All important information about this is on the website https://gesundheitsnetz-goldeneskreuz.at to find.

To coincide with the campaign weeks, there is already an episode in the ÖGGK’s HÖRENSWERT podcast. In this, nutritionist Mag. Sabine Bisovsky talks about the importance of vitamin D, the effects of a deficiency and the correct use of dietary supplements: https://hoerenswert.podigee.io/31-vitamin-d
All episodes at: www.oeggk.at/podcast-hoerenswert/

The participating partner pharmacies
The Vitamin D campaign week with a focus on advice and free tests takes place in these pharmacies:

• Old Leopoldsapotheke, Plankengasse 6, 1010 Vienna
• Pharmacy in the Stadium Center, Olympiaplatz 2, 1020 Vienna
• Aeskulap Pharmacy, Kardinal-Nagl-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna
• Pharmacy at the Kettenbrücke, Kettenbrückengasse 23, 1050 Vienna
• Essenz Pharmacy Mariahilf, Mariahilfer Straße 55, 1060 Vienna
• Essenz Pharmacy Neubau, Stiftgasse 23, 1070 Vienna
• Josefinen Pharmacy, Sechsschimmelgasse 17, 1090 Vienna
• Pharmacy at Liesingbach, Himberger Straße 35, 1100 Vienna
• Kurapotheke Oberlaa, Kurbadstraße 14, 1100 Vienna
• Wienerberg Pharmacy, Tesarekplatz 1, 1100 Vienna
• Essenz Pharmacy Gasometer, Guglgasse 6, 1110 Vienna
• Pharmacy for the Laughing Penguin, Hohenbergstrasse 11, 1120 Vienna
• Ameis Pharmacy, Linzer Straße 140, 1140 Vienna
• Bach Pharmacy, Steinbruchstraße 6, 1160 Vienna
• Adler Pharmacy, Kirchstetterngasse 36, 1160 Vienna
• St. Martin Pharmacy, Jörgerstraße 24, EKZ, 1170 Vienna
• Neulerchenfelder Pharmacy, Ottakringer Straße 98, 1170 Vienna
• Gersthofer Pharmacy, Gersthofer Straße 61, 1180 Vienna
• Billroth-Apotheke, Billrothstrasse 39, 1190 Vienna
• Pharmacy Zur Guten Hope, Rathstraße 16, 1190 Vienna
• Citygate Pharmacy, Wagramer Straße 195/47, 1210 Vienna
• Seestadt Pharmacy, Maria-Tusch-Straße 12, 1220 Vienna
• Pharmacy Zum Löwen von Aspern, Groß-Enzersdorfer Straße 4a, 1220 Vienna
• Markus Pharmacy, Alfred-Kubin-Platz 3, 1220 Vienna
• Apo23 Kalksburg, Kirchenplatz 5, 1230 Vienna
• District Pharmacy Korneuburg zum Schwarzen Adler, Hauptplatz 27, 2100 Korneuburg
• Mistelbach Pharmacy, Hauptplatz 36, 2130 Mistelbach
• Pharmacy Zum Heiligen Jakob, Hauptstraße 18a, 2353 Guntramsdorf
• Mag. Job’s Essenz Pharmacy Leobersdorf, Europastraße 5/Top B7a, 2544 Leobersdorf
• Guardian Angel Pharmacy, Wiener Straße 6, 3002 Purkersdorf
• Mag. Job’s District Pharmacy, Untere Hauptstraße 1, 7100 Neusiedl/See
• Mag. Job´s Apotheke Parndorf, Richard-Erlinger Platz Top 2A, 7111 Parndorf
• Mag. Job’s Pharmacy Weiden, operating area Jochen I3a, 7121 Weiden/See

More information also under www.gesundheitsnetz-goldeneskreuz.at

Photos
Photos can be found at this link: https://we.tl/t-RkaphIlugD

About the Austrian Society of the Golden Cross
The Austrian Society of Golden Crosses (ÖGGK) looks back on over 130 years of history and has been dedicated to the topic of health since it was founded in 1893. For a long time known primarily as the sponsor of the Goldenes Kreuz private clinic, the company now focuses on health promotion and prophylaxis as a non-profit association. Under the motto “We accompany you through life – through all phases of life and in all areas of life.” ÖGGK offers health offers in the areas of nutrition or exercise, benefits in the medical field, lectures and events in the art and culture sector. www.oeggk.at

Vitamin D campaign week from 20th to 25th Jan 2025

Datum: 20.01.2025 – 25.01.2025

Ort: In the partner pharmacies of the Golden Cross health network

URL: https://www.gesundheitsnetz-goldeneskreuz.at