Water Soluble Vitamins

The water soluble vitamins include Vitamin C and the vitamin B complex. The significance of water solubility is that such vitamins are easily and quickly lost in the urine and are not stored in the body. Consequently deficiencies of water soluble vitamins occur much more rapidly than fat-soluble vitamins. Conversely since these vitamins are not stored in the body, it is extremely difficult to attain toxic levels.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

The fat soluble vitamins include: vitamin A; vitamin D; vitamin E; and vitamin K (use the acronym ADEK to remember). These vitamins are classified as fat-soluble since they are soluble in fat and are absorbed by the body from the intestinal tract. As they follow the same path of absorption as fat any condition or factor that interferes with fat absorption also interferes with their absorption. Because these vitamins are more readily stored in the body than the water-soluble vitamins, deficiencies occur less frequently and take longer to occur. One drawback of being soluble in fat and thereby readily stored in the body is that toxic levels are more easily attained with these fat soluble vitamins.