What Are Lipid-Soluble Vitamins and Why Do You Need Them?
Before we get into the details of what lipid or fat-soluble vitamins are and why you need them in your body, let's talk about what vitamins are and what they can do for your overall health.
So What Are Vitamins?
These vitamins are available in cartoon-shaped forms and you have grown rather fond of them over the years. They are also available in softgel form that is squishy and easy to digest. Vitamins are found in the food you eat and also health supplements that you take regularly. They help you perform several of your bodily functions better. Vitamins are essential for your body and make your nutrition well-rounded and wholesome. There are numerous functions with which these vitamins help you including:
- Strengthening your bones
- Improving your vision
- Making your skin healthy
- Giving your hair a lustrous shine
- Healing wounds and injuries
- Giving your body enough energy
- Balancing your hormones
- Helping you stay hydrated
The list of such benefits is not going to exhaust so soon. There are primarily two types of vitamins. The first is water soluble vitamins and the second is lipid-soluble vitamins which are also called fat soluble vitamins. Your body needs both of them for different functions.
Understanding Water-Soluble Vitamins and What Their Names Are
As the name suggests, water-soluble vitamins do not take long to get absorbed into your body. Also, they don't take long to get discarded from your body either. They get easily stored and absorbed once they enter your bloodstream. If there is an excess of such vitamins, your body gets rid of them through urine. You will be advised by your family doctor or nutritionist to replenish them more frequently because they get eliminated from your body periodically. A few very common examples of water-soluble vitamins are:
- Vitamin C
- Various kinds of vitamin B such as:
B2, riboflavin
B3, niacin
B4, pantothenic acid
B6, pyridoxine
B7, biotin
B9, folic acid or folate
B12, cobalamin
A Look at Lipid-Soluble Vitamins and What Makes Them Special
Lipid-soluble vitamins or fat-soluble vitamins get absorbed into your body with other fats from the diet that you take daily. This absorption enables them to get stored in your body across your fat tissues and the liver. They stay in your body much longer as opposed to water-soluble vitamins. Your nutritionist or family doctor is going to ask you to replenish them around every 6 months. A few very important fat or lipid-soluble vitamins include vitamins A, D, E, and K. But this is not it. They are very essential for several of your bodily functions.
Throwing Light on the Importance of Lipid /Fat-Soluble Vitamins for Your Body
As pointed out above, fat-soluble vitamins are very crucial for your overall health. They are termed as essential for the simple reason that they help you perform numerous functions described below.
Vitamin A and Its Important Functions
- Enough vitamin A helps boost your immunity
- It also makes your skin healthy
- Known for very strong antioxidant properties
- They are considered essential for maintaining
- Supporting healthy vision
- Very important for cell growth and development
Vitamin D and Why It Is Essential
- Helps improve your immune system
- Very important for healthy bones
- Calcium and phosphorus absorption
- Plays a critical role in cell growth
- It also helps develop strong muscles
- Supports muscle function as well
Vitamin E and Its Critical Need
- It is a source of very important antioxidants that help fight free radical damage
- Very important for healthy skin and beautiful hair
- It is also known to boost your immunity and give you protection against viruses
- Vitamin e also has a positive role in unclogging blood vessels and reducing blood clots
- May also help reduce oxidation in your body
Vitamin K and Its Special Characteristics
- Plays a very active role in improving your bone health
- Helps in calcium regulation as well
- Vitamin K is required in your body for blood clotting
- Patients with arterial calcification are advised to consume foods rich in vitamin K
The Critical Question; How Much Of It Do I Need?
This is a very critical question because it is not a good idea to overdo supplementing with fat-soluble vitamins. The intake is usually determined based on your deficiency and overall diet. Your age and sex also determine how much of these vitamins you should take. You should consult your physician or nutritionist for the recommended daily allowances that support good health and healthy aging.
Is There A Thing Called Excessive Fat-Soluble Vitamin Intake?
Yes, there is. Any fat soluble vitamin that you consume is stored in your adipose tissue and the liver. So it is advised not to consume them in very high concentrations. Excessive intake of these vitamins may lead to adverse effects.
For example, if you take too much vitamin D, it can result in a lot of calcium deposits in your blood. This leads to calcification.
An overdose of vitamin A may result in hypervitaminosis A. This may lead to symptoms such as nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, and many more complications.
What you need is a reliable health supplement / vitamin supplements brand that ensures that you consume only the recommended dosage according to your age, lifestyle, sex, and health goals. This way, it is always easy to follow a wholesome and well-balanced diet. Whether it is a multivitamin, vitamin E, or vitamin K capsule, everything is personalized for you. However, before you go out shopping for a health supplement, make sure to consult your doctor or nutritionist.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed by the FDA. The information contained within this page is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.