Question

List three contrasting characteristics of the fat and water soluble vitamins.

Answer 1

Vitamins are divided into two categories: first one is fat-soluble vitamins and second one is water-soluble vitamins. Based on the solubility of vitamins, the body may absorb or rejects the vitamins or it can be stored in the body or lost from the body

The major contrasting characteristics of the fat and water-soluble vitamins are:

1. Fat-soluble vitamins are dissolving in fats and are absorbed by fat globules which travel through the small intestines and into the general blood circulation of the body. Water-soluble vitamins soluble in water that means these vitamins and nutrients dissolve rapidly in the body.
2. Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed in the lymph and are transported in the blood stream with carrier proteins. The fat-soluble vitamins are deposited in the liver and fatty tissues. But, water-soluble vitamins do not store in the body and it carried by the body’s tissues.
3. The fat-soluble vitamins are Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Water-soluble vitamins are Vitamin C and the vitamin B complex: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6, B7 (biotin), B9 (folic acid),and Vitamin B12. Vitamin A become water soluble in its Beta-Carotene form.
4. Fat-soluble vitamins are not excreted from the body; the excess amount of these fat-soluble vitamins accumulates in the body and creates toxic levels. But a well-balanced diet can reduce toxicity. But, any excess of water-soluble vitamins is rapidly excreted in urine and will not accumulate to toxic levels. Sometimes, water-soluble vitamin C, can cause diarrhea if it taken in excess amount.