What\s the difference between fat soluble and water soluble

While you may know that vitamins are an essential part to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, do you know the difference between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins? Some vitamins (water-soluble) are okay to take a lot of, and if you take too many of them, your body will naturally get rid of them. However, other vitamins (fat-soluble), are ones that you have to be careful with how many you take. Let’s take a look at the differences between the two.

Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Examples: Vitamins A, D, E, K

These vitamins are soluble in lipids, or fats. These are absorbed in your fat and then travel through your system into the small intestines, then into the general blood circulation of your body. They are then stored in body tissue, especially A and E. Once they’re stored there, they tend to stay there. This is why when a person takes too much of a fat-soluble vitamin, they can have too much of it present in their body over time. This is potentially dangerous, and is called hypervitaminosis.

Water-Soluble Vitamins

Examples: Vitamins B and C

When there is an excess of these vitamins in your body, it simply passes through your body. It can safely be excreted from your body simply through urine. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water, so they quickly dissolve in your body. These vitamins are also carried to the body’s tissues, but the body cannot store them. Because they are needed by our bodies, we need to make sure that we are intaking them on a regular basis.

Here are some important water-soluble vitamins, and what they do:

Vitamin C: Strong antioxidant known for strengthening the immune system

Vitamin B1: Converts food into energy

Vitamin B2: Essential to the creation of red blood cells and cell growth

Vitamin B3: Maintains cardiovascular health

Vitamin B5: Supports metabolism and helps converts food into energy

Vitamin B6: Supports healthy brain function and reduces risk of cardiovascular disease

Biotin: Also known as B7, promotes healthy skin, hair and nails

Vitamin B9: Essential in development of a healthy central nervous system

Vitamin B12: Helps nerve function and development

Stop by Chamber’s Apothecary today to talk with a professional and find out what vitamins are the best for you!

Published on: 31 August 2021, 17:04 pm IST

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Vitamins are essential for the upkeep of many bodily functions such as vision, immune system, reproductive health, and skincare. Vitamins are absorbed by the body from food sources and supplements and help provide it with a wide variety of nutritional benefits. They can be classified into water-soluble and fat-soluble.

While water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water, fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed into the bloodstream. Regardless of the solubility, in case of deficiency of vital vitamins, the body may experience inadequate fat absorption, acute diarrhoea, reduced immunity, night blindness, and liver disorders.

Here’s the difference between water and fat-soluble vitamins

1. Lifecycle: Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water, and are absorbed into tissues for immediate use. They are not stored in the body, and hence, your diet is critical in providing the body with a regular dose of these vitamins. Excess of water-soluble vitamins leads to them being excreted in the urine. Examples include vitamin C and B-complex.

On the other hand, fat-soluble vitamins are dissolved in the bloodstream in the form of fats. These vitamins travel through the small intestines, and the bloodstream plays the role of catalyst in distributing it throughout the body. Examples include vitamin A, D, E and K.

2. Health benefits: Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B1 helps maintain nervous system function. Other B-complex variants of water-soluble vitamins, like B2 and B3, help promote good vision, healthy skin, and aids in digestion. As per a research study by ‘Current Sports Medicine Reports’, vitamin C, which is critical to iron absorption and collagen synthesis, boosts wound healing, aids bone formation, and improves overall immune function.

Fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and D play an important role in bone and tooth formation, and vision. Moreover, the immune and digestive system also benefit from consuming vitamin A and D. Vitamin E, an antioxidant, is a great nutrient to fight infections, and maintain the health of red blood cells. As per a study by ‘The Clinical Biochemist Reviews’, vitamin K helps prevent blood clotting and strengthens the bones.

3. Sources: Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C, are found in fruits like oranges and kiwis. B-complex vitamins could be derived from chicken, eggs, milk, cheese, soy milk, almond milk, and fortified cereals. When it comes to fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A and K, food sources such as carrots, pumpkin, eggs, spinach, and broccoli, could be consumed.

So, be mindful of your vitamin intake, and take charge of your overall health and wellbeing!

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