Fat Soluble Vitamins

Fat soluble vitamins are critical to health and wellness-particularly reproductive health and wellness. Fat-soluble vitamins include the vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K. Fat soluble vitamins are those that are normally stored in the body. Small amounts of vitamins A, D, E and K are needed to maintain good health. These fat soluble vitamins get absorbed by the fat globules in the small intestine.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A and carotene can be obtained from either animal or vegetable sources. Vitamin A can be classified into retinols or carotenoids. Vitamin A, like other fat soluble vitamins, is critical to health. Vitamin A also plays a role in the health of the heart. The best way to ensure your body gets enough vitamin A is to eat a variety of foods.

Sources: 

• Active form (retinol) it can be obtained from animal products such as milk, egg yolk and liver.
• Precursor form (beta-carotene) it can be obtained from fruit and vegetables, and is converted to active form in the body.
• Dark green vegetables, orange-yellow vegetables, whole milk, butter, cheese, fish liver oils, all liver.

Deficiency:

• Pregnant women and infants are most at risk.
• Problems with skin and epithelial cells, digestive and genitourinary tracts.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a group of fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin D is essential for the formation and health of bones, teeth and cartilage. Raw, oily, ocean-going fish represent one of the best food sources of vitamin D. It may also play a role in regulation of amino acid levels in the blood and the level of citric acid in tissues and bones. It plays a critical role in the body's use of calcium and phosphorous.

Sources:

D2 is found in some foods and D3 is produced within the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is also added to some foods. Vitamin D is present in fatty fish like kipper, salmon, tuna and mackerel, liver, egg yolk and butter.

Deficiency:

• Poor growth and lack of normal bone formation in children.
• Decreased calcium and phosphorus levels and thus soften/weakens bone tissue.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E refers to several nutrients called tocopherols. These are fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant. This fat soluble vitamin is essential for cell health. A dietary deficiency of vitamin E is extremely rare. Vitamin E protects your body organs and tissues from the damaging effects of reactive chemicals called free radicals.

Sources:

Good sources include wheat germ, prawns, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pistachio nuts, soya beans and sunflower seeds.

Deficiency

• :Human deficiency not related to athletic performance, heart disease, sex drive, muscular dystrophy.
• Animal deficiency as well as liver damage and muscular symptoms in mice, pigs, dogs and other animals.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a group of vitamins, notably vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. Vitamin K like vitamin A, D, E, is fat soluble vitamins. Vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting an important role in maintaining bone health. Dietary fat is necessary for the absorption of this vitamin. Vitamin K is an important to keep your blood clotting as it's supposed to.

Sources:

• It is produced by micro-organisms in the intestine, and is stored in the liver.
• Routinely given to newborns after birth.
• Is found in leafy vegetable, cheese and liver. It also found in coffee, bacon and green tea.

Deficiency:

• Deficiencies are rare in all animals.
• May occur as a result of inadequate fat absorption and/or antibiotic consumption.