Vitamins that does not dissolve in water are known as fat soluble vitamins. There are 4 fat soluble vitamins are discovered yet. These are Vitamin A, D, E and K.

Fat Soluble Vitamins
Fat Soluble Vitamins/ DATS, Functions And Deficiency Results

Fat Soluble Vitamins

1.VITAMIN A (Retinol):

Vitamin A are also known as retinol. It exist in two forms:

Retinoid and Carotenoids

Retinoid are structurally similar and include retinol (alcoholic form), Retinal (aldehyde form), Retinoic acid (carboxylic form) and Retinyl ester. However, carotenoids are the plant source vitamin A.

Supplementary form of Vitamin A is Retinol palmitate.

Sources:

Both retinoid and carotenoid source of vitamin A are found naturally in food. Retinoid are found naturally in animal sources like liver and dairy products (including whole meat, chicken and butter).

Sea sources include fish such as tuna, sardines and herrings.

Carotenoids are naturally found plant sources. In general yellow, orange, red and green color fruits and vegetables like carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, water melon and papayas are the good sources.

                                                     DATS

Digestion:

A person taking vitamin A from non-vegetarian sources are in the form of retinyl ester however, the vegetarian source of vitamin A are carotenoids. By the action of different fats and proteins catalysis enzymes this vitamin gets freed from fats and proteins. For absorption retinyl ester and carotenoid gets converted into retinal while after absorption it is again converted into retinyl ester and carotenoid.

Absorption:

Retinyl ester in attachement with chylomicron absorbed from intestinal cells into the lymphatic system from where it is transported towards liver.

In liver it is stored in the form of retinol.

Transportation:

For transportation of vitamin A RBP (retinol binding protein) are present which transported it towards the targeted tissues according to body requirement.

Storage:

Vitamin A is stored in liver, eye, muscles and many other organs. Its storage form is retinyl ester.

RDA:

Gender

RDA

Male

5000 IU

Female

4000 IU

Children

2000-3500 IU

 

Function:

  • It is required for embryonic development, bone formation and reproduction.
  • Development of healthy skin and nerve tissues in the body.
  • Aids in building resistance of body against infections.
  • Its main function is in the eyesight and helps to visualize eye in the dim and bright light.

Deficiency Causes:

Its deficiency leads to ocular sight effects include night blindness and corneal xerosis and extra ocular include growth retardation, skin disorders, effects on bones, effect on reproductive system.

2.Vitamin D:

Vitamin D was first time discovered when it is absorbed that a disease called rickets is cured by the exposure of a person through direct sunlight and by taking a sources of vitamin D rich foods. Vitamin D are commonly found in two forms: ergocalciferol (D2) and Cholecalciferol (D3). Commonly produced and absorbed in skin as cholecalciferol.

Sources:

D2 is the plant source of vitamin D while D3 is the animal source of vitamin D.

The major animal sources of vitamin D are milk, cheese, butter, beef, eggs etc.  while the plant sources are green leafy vegetables and other bright colored vegetables.

                                              DATS

Digestion:

Human consumes vitamin D in two forms ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol. Prior to absorption it undergoes through various digestive enzymes in intestinal cells it is converted into freed calciferol.

Absorption and Transportation:

After absorption vitamin D are either fed into the circulatory system or portal circulation. In blood circulation the cholecalciferol slowly diffuses into the blood from where the vitamin D binding receptor (DBP) binds it and transport it towards liver. Whereas in portal circulation the micelles of cholecalciferol in attachment with chylomicron transported towards liver. In liver further metabolism of vitamin D occurs to convert it into its active form.

Storage:

Vitamin D is stored in liver, kidney, bones and skeleton.

RDA:

RDA of vitamin D are 1000 IU for adults.

Function:

  • Vitamin D is also considered as hormone because it plays a role in secretion of various extracellular hormones e.g. cortisone.
  • Regulates calcium balance between bones and blood by increasing the production of VBP from intestinal cells and increasing the reabsorption of calcium from kidneys.
  • Also functions in regulation of calcium and phosphorous in bones and teeth.
  • It is also helpful in suppressing the inflammation.

Deficiency:

Deficiency of vitamin D may leads to rickets in children’s and osteoporosis in adults. Which causes the bones to become weak, soft and brittle due to demineralization of bones.

Growth retardation, Calcium and phosphorous imbalances are also the cause of vitamin D deficiency.

3.Vitamin E:

Vitamin E are also called as anti-aging factor. It is composed of a group of eight compounds divided into two classes: tocopherols and tocotrienols

Sources:

Vitamin E is present in both plant and animal sources. Fish, meat, rice, bran, barley, grains, pure fruits and vegetables, wheat, egg yolk, nuts, sunflower seeds etc. are the best sources of vitamin D.

RDA:

Recommended dietary allowances of vitamin E for males are 30 IU while for females are 24 IU.

Function:

  • The main function is that it is the anti-oxidant and anti-aging factor.
  • Promotes normal body growth.
  • Protects tissue against damage.
  • Helps in normal red blood cell formation and prevent from hemolytic anemia.
  • Enhance immune system.

Deficiency:

Deficiency of vitamin E leads to poor growth and crazy chick disease.

It also effects the control nervous system. Vitamin E is dependent on adequate selenium.

4.Vitamin K:

Vitamin K are also known as quinone. It exists in three forms:

K1: phylloquinone (present in plants)

K2: menaquinone (synthesized from intestinal bacteria)

K3: menadione (synthetic form and also soluble in water)

Sources:

The main sources of vitamin K are green leafy vegetables, dairy products, fish meal, liver, soy beans etc.

RDA:

Recommended dietary intakes of vitamin E are 90-120 micrograms for both adults males and females.

Function:

  • In fat soluble vitamins it is the only vitamin which act as a co enzyme and in many biological reactions.
  • It also act as a blood clotting factor and help in proper wound healing.
  • New born immediately need this vitamin after birth.
  • It is also required to build strong bones.

Deficiency:

Due to the deficiency of Vitamin K blood loses its ability to clot and time needed for clotting is longer and serious hemorrhages can occur.