FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS
Vitamins can be broadly classified as water soluble and fat soluble vitamins. B-complex vitamins and ascorbic acid belong to the former group while vitamin A, D, E, K are the fat soluble vitamins. Water soluble vitamins are not accumulated in the body, but are readily excreted while fat soluble vitamins are stored in the body.
Fat soluble Vitamins Importance
| Vitamins |
Important Sources |
Physiology and Functions |
Daily Allowances* |
| Vitamin A |
Animal Fish-liver oils Liver Butter, cream Whole milk Whole-milk cheeses Egg yolk, green leafy vegetables, yellow and orange coloured fruits, vegetables, red palm oil, fish and fish liver oil |
Bile necessary for absorption Stored in liver Maintains integrity of muscosal epithelium, maintains visual acuity in dim light Large amounts are toxic |
Children:400-700 RE (2,000-3,300 IU)
Men:1,000 RE(5,000 IU)
Women:800 RE (4,000 IU)
Pregnancy:1,000 RE (5,000 IU)
Lactation: 1,200 RE (6,000 IU) |
Vitamin D
Vitamin D2 Ergocalciferol
Vitamin D3 Cholecalciferol
Antirachitic factor |
Fish-liver oils fortified milk activated sterols Exposure to sunlight Very small amounts in butter, liver, egg yolk, salmon, sardines |
Synthesized in skin by activity of ultraviolet light Liver synthesizes 25 (OH) D3 Kidney synthesizes 1,25 (OH)2 D3 Functions as steroid hormone to regulate calcium and phosphorus absorption, mobilization and mineralization of bone Large amounts are toxic |
Children 0-18 years: 10mg
Adults 19-22 years 7.5 mg
Adults over 22 years: 5 mg
Pregnant or lactating women:+5mg |
| Vitamin E Alpha-, beta-, gamma-tocopherol Antisterility vitamin |
Plant tissues-vegetable oils; wheat germ, rice germ; green leafy vegetables; nuts; legumes animal foods are poor sources |
Not store in body to any extent Related to action of selenium Humans: reduces oxidation of vitamin A, carotenes, and polyunsaturated fatty acids Animals: normal reproduction; utilization of sex hormones, cholesterol |
Infants: 3-4 mg & -TE
Men:10 mg & -TE
Women:8 mg &- TE
Pregnancy:10 mg & TE
Lactation:11 mg &- TE |
Vitamin K
Phylloquinone (K1)
Menaquinone
Menadione |
Green leaves such as alfalfa, spinach, cabbage liver]
Synthesis in intestine |
Bile necessary for absorption Formation of prothrombin and other clotting proteins Sulfa drugs and antibiotics interfere with absorption Large amounts are toxic |
Estimated safe and adequate
Intakes:
Infants:10-20 mg
Adults: 70-140 mg |
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