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.
