13.3: Fat-Soluble Vitamins
- Page ID
- 157772
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Fat-soluble vitamins are ones that get dissolved in fat, also known as lipids. Unlike the water-soluble vitamins, these can be stored in the tissues to be used later. These do not need to be replenished in a healthy adult daily as the body can use what it stores. The fat-soluble vitamins include A, D, E, and K.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A has a wide variety of functions in the body. Some of the functions are to help with our skin, vision, reproduction, and immune function. Vitamin A helps to enable the epithelial tissue (the thin outer layer of the body and the lining that protects your organs) and bone cells to form. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and adipose tissue of the body. Signs of deficiency of vitamin A typically relate to eye problems. One concern is nyctalopia, also known as night blindness. Other deficiencies are Xerophthalimia, dryness of the eye, and Bitott’s spots, keratinization of the eye’s conjunctiva. It is recommended to get 700 mcg for women and 900 mcg for vitamin A for men to avoid any concerns. Foods that contain vitamin A are orange vegetables like carrots and bell peppers. Kale, spinach, fish, and chicken.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an important vitamin for our bones. Our body has the ability to turn UV light from the sun into vitamin D3 to be used in the body. The darker the skin tone, the less vitamin D is absorbed due to melanin’s surface level in darker skin tones. Bodies need vitamin D to absorb calcium and to build and maintain bone health. If someone is deficient in vitamin D, they are at risk for osteoporosis (low bone mass) or get rickets in children. Rickets is when the bones do not mineralize correctly. We can get vitamin D in our body through sunlight, fortified milk, salmon, or egg yolks. Recommendations for vitamin D is 15 mcg for adults.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important antioxidant for the body. This vitamin helps to protect the cells from free radicals that are found in the body. The free radicals are produced from our bodies, converting food into energy. Vitamin E also helps to keep the skin moisturized and healthy. Hemolytic anemia may occur in deficient populations. Sources of vitamin E include sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, spinach, kiwis, and tomatoes. The recommended intake is 15 mg per day. This is not a very toxic vitamin, and the UI is 1,000 mg.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is required for optimal bone metabolism and critical for blood function. It is a coenzyme for enzymes involved in blood clotting. Blood-clotting proteins are continuously circulating in the blood. Upon injury to a blood vessel, platelets stick to the wound forming a plug. The clotting factors circulating close by respond in a series of protein-protein interactions resulting in the fibrous protein’s formation, fibrin, which reinforces the platelet plug. There is no RDA or Ul for vitamin K; however, adult males need about 120 mcg per day, and adult females, 90 mcg per day.
A deficiency in vitamin K causes bleeding disorders. It is relatively rare, but people who have liver or pancreatic disease, celiac disease, or malabsorption conditions are at higher risk for vitamin K deficiency. Signs and symptoms include nosebleeds, easy bruising, broken blood vessels, bleeding gums, and heavy menstrual bleeding in women. The function of the anticoagulant drug warfarin is impaired by excess vitamin K intake from supplements. Calcium additionally plays a role in the activation of blood-clotting proteins.
Please answer the true or false questions.
- Vitamin E is a water-soluble vitamin. True or False
- Vitamin D can be made in the body using the UV from the sun. True or False
- Vitamin A is essential for making blood clots. True or False
- Fat-soluble vitamins do not get stored in the body. True or False
- Answer
-
- Vitamin E is a water-soluble vitamin. False
- Vitamin D can be made in the body using the UV from the sun. True
- Vitamin A is essential for making blood clots. False
- Fat-soluble vitamins do not get stored in the body. False

