Difference between Fat Soluble and Water Soluble Vitamins

A vitamin is an organic substance required for the body’s growth and development. It is a vitamin that must be obtained from diet because it cannot be manufactured by the body. Vitamins are divided into two categories: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins.

Fat soluble proteins

They are soluble in lipids or fatty acids, as the name implies. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins, which are not easily absorbed, eaten by human tissues, or eliminated by the kidneys through urine..Because fat-soluble vitamins break down slowly in the body, we only need extremely small amounts of them. 

Water soluble proteins 

Water soluble They are water soluble. Water-soluble vitamins are a combination of vitamins B complex and C that are easily absorbed, utilised by human tissues, and eliminated through urine by the kidneys. Water-soluble vitamins are not stored in our bodies for future cell activity.

Types of fat soluble vitamins 

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are among the fat-soluble vitamins. A tiny number of fat-soluble vitamins can be included in our diet.

Vitamin-A : It promotes eye, skin, and bone health, as well as acting as an antioxidant by shielding cells from free radicals. Vitamin A aids cell regeneration and maintains healthy, bright skin.

Vitamin-D :It helps maintain calcium and potassium ion balance in the blood, which is required for strong bones and a healthy immune system. Vitamin D is also beneficial to the heart and circulatory system.

Vitamin-E :It has antioxidant properties, aids in muscle restoration, and gives immunity to the body in the battle against illness.

Vitamin-K: It is essential for blood coagulation, as well as preventing excessive bleeding and maintaining bone and heart health. Vitamin-K also has wound-healing properties, in that it restores injured cells or tissues.

Types of water soluble vitamins 

There are nine water-soluble vitamins, including eight different types of vitamin B and C. They must be included in our diet on a regular basis.

B-Complex Vitamin

It contains eight different vitamins (each possesses distinct health benefits).

Thiamine, often known as vitamin B1, aids in energy metabolism by turning food into energy and coordinating the functions of RNA and DNA. Vitamin B1 also helps to keep the cardiovascular and nervous systems in good shape.

Vitamin B2, commonly known as riboflavin, is a necessary nutrient for maintaining healthy muscle, skin, and vision, as well as mediating the chemical conversion of tryptophan to niacin.

Vitamin B3, often known as niacin, is a B vitamin that aids in our body’s energy metabolism by converting food into energy. 

Pantothenic acid, often known as vitamin B5, gives the body energy by turning food to chemical energy. Vitamin B5 promotes general cell advancement, supports adrenal gland function, and aids in the formation of haemoglobin.

Pyridoxine, often known as vitamin B6, aids in energy metabolism by turning food into cellular energy. Vitamin B6 helps to lower the risk of heart disease by creating RBCs, insulin, serotonin, and haemoglobin, among other things.

Vitamin B7, often known as biotin, aids in protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Vitamin B7 supports a healthy neurological system, skin, hair, and nails, as well as blood sugar regulation.

Vitamin B9, also known as folic acid, is important for maintaining a healthy nervous system, repairing DNA damage caused by pollutants, and assisting in the formation of blood cells.

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that aids in the creation of blood cells as well as the efficient operation and development of the nervous system. Vitamin B12 also inhibits megaloblastic anaemia, according to the study.

Vitamin-C: Collagen synthesis is aided by it (a structural element of blood vessels, ligaments, tendons and bones). Vitamin C works as an antioxidant, preventing the cell from being damaged by reactive oxygen species. It stimulates the formation of white blood cells (WBCs), which plays an important role in the immune system

Difference between fat soluble and water-soluble vitamins

Absorption: Water-soluble vitamins from food assimilate quickly in the small intestine, but microbial action in the large intestine synthesises few vitamins and assimilates them there. Fat-soluble vitamins are difficult to absorb in the small intestine and require bile or fats to be absorbed.

Transport: Water-soluble vitamins enter the body by diffusion, whereas fat-soluble vitamins require protein transporters to transport them through the bloodstream.

Storage: The fat-soluble vitamins are stored in “lipocytes” for future use. Water-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are quickly consumed by our bodies and do not remain in the body.

Excretion: Water-soluble vitamins are swiftly excreted by our excretory system (kidneys), but fat-soluble vitamins linger in the body for a longer time or are slowly excreted by the kidneys.

Conclusion 

Regardless of a vitamin’s solubility, micronutrients are engaged in practically every biological function in your body. Vitamins work together to keep you healthy and energetic. Our immune system can become compromised and weakened if you don’t get the required levels of vitamins from diet, supplementation, and outside sources like the sun.