The human body needs a variety of micronutrients and minerals for proper functioning; among these micronutrients, vitamins are the essential ones. There are 13 essential vitamins that help properly function and maintain growth in the human body. The intake of vitamins depends upon your daily diet and it must contain an ample amount of essential vitamins. However, the proper functioning and growth of a human body depend upon how these vitamins are metabolized or absorbed by your body. Vitamins are classified mainly on the basis of their solubility, for example, some vitamins are fat-soluble, while the rest are water-soluble.

What are Fat-Soluble Vitamins?

As the name suggests, fat-soluble vitamins are vitamins, that are soluble in fat. The fat globules present in the human body absorb these vitamins, which then are carried out throughout the bloodstream. Fat-soluble vitamins are abundantly found in high-fat food items such as egg yolks, fatty fish, dairy products, beef, etc. Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, and Vitamin E fall under fat-soluble vitamins. The excess fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fatty tissues or the liver, which are later absorbed by the body.

What are Water-Soluble Vitamins?

The water-soluble vitamins are just opposite to the fat-soluble vitamins and these vitamins are soluble in water. The folate, niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6 and B12, riboflavin, and vitamin C falls under water-soluble vitamins. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, it’s not stored in the body and thus human body requires a continuous supply of water-soluble vitamins, as the excess water-soluble vitamins that are of no use, are excreted out through urine. Water-soluble vitamins are mainly found in fruits, grains, and vegetables, and also these vitamins are vulnerable to heat and thus can even be destroyed by the heat of boiling while cooking. 

Difference Between Fat Soluble and Water Soluble Vitamins

Importance of Fat-Soluble Vitamins

• Vitamin A– It helps in improving vision and maintains the immune system healthy.
• Vitamin D– It helps maintain bone health and immunity.
• Vitamin E– It’s an essential antioxidant and also helps prevent blood clotting.
• Vitamin K– It maintains calcium levels in the body and helps in maintaining bone health, and also reduces the risk of heart diseases.

Importance of Water-Soluble Vitamins

• Vitamin B– It helps in breaking fats and amino acids and releasing energy through carbohydrates. Apart from this it also acts as a carrier of oxygen and other nutrients in the human body.
• Vitamin C– It’s an important antioxidant that helps the human body fight free radicals, which are the main cause of heart diseases, and cancer.

Bottomline

The human body requires an ample amount of both water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins for proper growth of the body. As the fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the human body, their regular consumption is not required, however, water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body, thus regular consumption of them is required. Also, excess intake of these vitamins can also lead to many serious heart diseases. However water-soluble vitamins are less toxic than fat-soluble vitamins. Thus it’s important to take a balanced diet with an ample amount of all these vitamins.

FAQs

Q1. What are the main sources of fat-soluble vitamins?

Ans: Dairy products, beef, fatty fishes, and egg yolks are the main sources of fat-soluble vitamins.

Q2. Which is more toxic in nature water-soluble or fat-soluble vitamin?

Ans: Fat-soluble vitamins are more toxic in nature.

Q3. Can fat-soluble vitamins travel freely?

Ans: No, as the fat-soluble vitamins are hydrophobic in nature, they cannot travel freely.

Q4. How long do fat-soluble vitamins stay in the human body?

Ans: It can stay as long as 2 weeks in the human body.