Fat Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins are essential nutrients that are required by the body. They all have a unique role in maintaining normal cell function, growth and development. Vitamins are classified into two categories:
 * Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K)
 * Water soluble vitamins (B and C)

Fat-soluble vitamins, once ingested, the body uses what it needs at the time and stores the rest in fat tissue. The vitamins can be stored and remain here until they are needed for future use. If too much is ingested this can cause hypervitaminosis, a potentially dangerous condition. Deficiencies can also occur when fat intake is low or if fat absorption is compromised in certain conditions (e.g. taking certain drugs, cystic fibrosis).

In contrast water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body. The body uses the amount needed and any excess is excreted in urine. As they are not stored, the body requires a constant supply in order to stay healthy.

Related articles

 * Water Soluble Vitamins