Definition of Fat Soluble Vitamins

There are two major categories of vitamins: fat soluble and water soluble. Fat soluble vitamins require fat to be present in order to be properly absorbed and utilized by the human body. Water soluble vitamins break down in water.

Types of Fat Soluble Vitamins

• Vitamins A, D, E, F (essential fatty acids), and K are the essential fat-soluble vitamins.

Body Reserves

• Fat soluble vitamins can be stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver; water soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, so any excess in daily intake is excreted.

Considerations

• For proper absorption, fat soluble vitamins should be taken with a meal containing a fat.

Effects

• Vitamin A helps to maintain good vision and immune function. Vitamin D helps promote bone and cardiovascular health. Vitamin E is an antioxidant. Vitamin K helps with proper blood clotting, and Vitamin F helps maintain brain and cardiovascular health.

Warning

• Excessive doses of fat soluble vitamins may cause blurred vision, tremors, restlessness, kidney stones, ulcers, rapid heartbeat, hair loss, nausea or high blood pressure.