Fat-Soluble Vitamins Overview

A family of essential, fat-soluble dietary compounds including retinol and carotenoids.

A subgroup of vitamin A including retinol and its related compounds.

A subgroup of vitamin A found in brightly colored plant pigments.

The process of breaking down food into smaller particles through physical and chemical means.

The process of nutrient absorption from the digestive tract into the bloodstream.

The transformation of substances within the body, including breaking down and building up molecules.

The process of vision involving retinoids in the retina.

A protective mechanism against free radicals, preventing damage to cells and tissues.

A form of cell damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to various diseases.

A deficiency in vitamin A, characterized by symptoms like night blindness and skin problems.

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that protects cell membranes from damage caused by harmful free radicals. It's like a shield for your cells, preventing them from getting rusty.

Vitamin E is primarily absorbed in the small intestine through a process called passive diffusion, where it moves freely across the intestinal walls.

Vitamin E is mainly stored in the liver, but also found in the lungs, heart, and brain.

Vitamin E's main forms, alpha-tocopherol and tocotrienols, have different biological activities and sources.

Vitamin E deficiency is rare, but can cause problems like anemia, muscle weakness, and neurological issues.

Foods like almonds, sunflower seeds, wheat germ oil, and various plant-based oils are great sources of Vitamin E.

Vitamin E is crucial for protecting against age-related health problems like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease.

The recommended daily intake of Vitamin E for adults is 15mg of alpha-tocopherol, but this varies depending on factors like pregnancy and smoking.

Vitamin K is a vital nutrient that plays a crucial role in blood clotting, a process that stops bleeding. It also helps strengthen bones.

Vitamin K is found in various foods like leafy green vegetables, some fruits, and certain oils. It's also produced by bacteria in our gut.

Vitamin K is crucial for activating proteins involved in blood clotting. This helps form a clot to stop bleeding.

Vitamin K deficiency is rare in healthy adults, but it can affect blood clotting, leading to excessive bleeding, and may also weaken bones.

Vitamin K is essential for bone health, its role is to help build strong bones by aiding in the creation of bone matrix.

Warfarin, a medication used to prevent blood clots, works by blocking the action of Vitamin K. It essentially inhibits the clotting process.

Vitamin D, like Vitamin K, is crucial for strong bones and plays a role in bone health.

Vitamin D can be obtained through sunlight exposure, where the body converts it from a precursor. It can also be found in certain foods like fatty fish and fortified products.

Vitamin D's journey through the body involves absorption, transportation, and activation into its active form, calcitriol. This process begins with the absorption of vitamin D, which follows the path of fat digestion, becoming part of micelles. Subsequently, vitamin D is transported in the bloodstream, bound to vitamin D-binding protein (DBP). Finally, the liver and kidneys play a role in activating vitamin D into its active form, calcitriol, through metabolic processes.

Vitamin D, a powerful hormone, plays a crucial role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. It ensures these minerals are present in the right quantities in the intestine, bones, parathyroid glands, and kidneys. This delicate balance is essential for bone health and overall well-being.

Vitamin D's role in the body extends beyond calcium regulation. It also acts as a steroid hormone, influencing cell differentiation, growth, and overall bone health. Researchers continue to uncover the diverse and complex functions of vitamin D in various tissues, highlighting its crucial role in overall health and well-being.

Excessive intake of vitamin D can lead to toxicity, causing hypercalcemia which can manifest with severe symptoms, such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, hypertension, renal insufficiency, and failure to thrive in infants. Adults may experience calcifications in soft tissues (e.g., kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels) and other problems.