Fat Soluble Vitamins

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Fat Soluble Vitamins
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What Does Fat Soluble Mean

• Fat soluble means the vitamin will not dissolve
  in water but it will dissolve in fat.
• Remember, oil and water dont mix.

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Which Vitamins are Fat Soluble

• The fat soluble vitamins include vitamins
• A
• D
• E
• K

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Toxicity

• All fat soluble vitamins are potentially toxic.
• This is because the liver breaks down fats.
• Too much of a fat soluble vitamin overworks the
  liver and can cause it to fail.
• This is especially true for people who are
  already overworking their livers due to alcohol
  use, drug use and obesity.

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Vitamin A

• Vitamin A is important for the eyes, hair and
  skin.
• Vitamin A is actually several different
  molecules.
• The most important are the retinol and the
  carotene group which are water soluble.

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Sources of Vitamin A

• The fat soluble retinol group is best obtained
  from eating animal sources especially the livers
  of meat and fish.
• Vegetarians should take cod liver oil to get
  enough vitamin A.
• Other sources include vegetables with a red or
  yellow color pumpkin, sweet potatoes, carrots
  and squash are good examples.

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Importance of Vitamin A

• Vitamin A is important for
• Vision, especially night vision
• Healthy skin
• Control acne
• Gene transcription so the DNA makes the correct
  RNA to make the right proteins
• May help to prevent some cancers.

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Vitamin A Deficiency

• Vitamin A deficiency leads to
• Night blindness
• Psoriasis
• Ichthyosis (flaky skin that looks like fish
  scales

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What is Vitamin D

• Like Vitamin A, the term vitamin D refers to
  several different forms of the vitamin combined
  together.
• Some forms are synthesized by plants and others
  are synthesized by animals.

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Importance of Vitamin D

• The major biologic function of vitamin D is to
  maintain normal blood levels of calcium and
  phosphorus.
• Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium,
  helping to form and maintain strong bones.
• Recently, research also suggests vitamin D may
  provide protection from osteoporosis,
  hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, and
  several autoimmune diseases.

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Sources of Vitamin D

• Cod liver oil
• Fish
• Eggs
• Milk
• Notice these are all animal sources
• In order for the body to synthesize vitamin D you
  need at least 10 minutes in the sun a day.

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Vitamin D Deficiency

• Rickets and osteomalacia
• Rickets affects children and results in skeletal
  deformities.
• In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to
  osteomalacia, which results in weak muscles and
  bones.

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Who is at Risk For D Deficiency

• Populations who may be at a high risk for vitamin
  D deficiencies include
• Elderly
• Obese individuals
• Limited sun exposure.

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Vitamin E

• Vitamin E exists in eight different forms.
• It is an antioxidant.
• Vitamin E has been proposed for the prevention or
  treatment of several diseases including cancer,
  and other cellular diseases, however, no
  medicinal need for vitamin E has been proven.
• Vitamin E deficiency is rare.

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Vitamin E Supplements

• Some evidence suggests we get adequate vitamin E
  from our diet and supplements may be harmful.
• In particular, excess vitamin E may interfere
  with the blood thinning benefits of vitamin K.

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Sources of Vitamin E

• The best sources for vitamin E are
  monounsaturated vegetable oils like canola oil.
• Also seeds and nuts are rich in vitamin E.

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Vitamin K

• Vitamin K is necessary in blood clotting.
• In fact the K stands for Koagulation (we spell it
  with a c) meaning blood clotting.
• Excess vitamin K can cause excess blood clots
  which can be life threatening.
• People at risk for blood clots need to inhibit
  the formation of vitamin K.

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Sources For Vitamin K

• The best sources of Vitamin K include
• Green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, green
  lettuce, parsley and Swiss chard.
• Also, canola oil and soybean oil are good.
• Eat your greens!