Vitamins are essential micronutrients for our bodies, and they all have a different role to play! In particular, they help to make up for certain dietary deficiencies and support a number of our body's functions! Many people wonder about the absorption of these vitamins. Did you know that they can be divided into two categories: fat-soluble and water-soluble? If you'd like to find out more, this article is for you!
What does fat-soluble or water-soluble mean?
Let's start with the term liposoluble. The root of the word refers to "lipids", so fat-soluble molecules dissolve in fats. The word water-soluble, on the other hand, has "hydro" at its root, so water-soluble molecules dissolve in water. As a result, vitamins, which are molecules or families of molecules, can be sorted according to their solubility.
Discovering fat-soluble vitamins :
The fat-soluble vitamins are as follows: A, D, E and K. Yes, there's also a K (the vitamin essential for blood clotting and bone metabolism). This category is mainly found in foods of animal origin, egg yolks, cheese, etc. As mentioned above, fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fats and are absorbed in the small intestine at the same time as lipids. They are then transported by the blood to the liver, where they are stored for maximum benefit. However, an excess of fat-soluble vitamins can carry risks of toxicity and the development of undesirable effects. It is therefore advisable to carefully respect the recommended daily doses.
The functions of fat-soluble vitamins:
Fat-soluble vitamins have a variety of functions. As a reminder, vitamin A is involved in vision, cell growth and immunity. Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and strengthens bones (similar to vitamin K). Vitamin E protects cell membranes from oxidative stress. To find out more about oxidative stress, take a look at one of our previous articles on the subject: Oxidative stress, everything you need to know about free radicals and antioxidants. Finally, vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone metabolism.
Water-soluble vitamins:
Water-soluble vitamins are those in the B group (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B8, B9, B12) and vitamin C. The latter is found mainly in fruit and vegetables. Water-soluble vitamins are absorbed in the stomach or small intestine and pass directly into the bloodstream, unlike fat-soluble vitamins, which pass through the liver. A surplus of water-soluble vitamins can carry risks of toxicity, as with fat-soluble vitamins, but the risks are lower.
Understanding the role of water-soluble vitamins:
This category also has multiple roles: group B vitamins are involved in energy metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, red blood cell production and foetal development. Vitamin C, for its part, is a powerful antioxidant that stimulates immunity, promotes healing and facilitates the absorption of iron.
Solution to avoid deficiencies or excesses in fat- and water-soluble vitamins:
To avoid deficiencies, you need a balanced, healthy and varied diet and regular physical activity. A good diet will cover the recommended daily intake for each vitamin (A, B, C, D, etc.) in the two categories (fat-soluble and water-soluble). However, it is still possible to suffer from deficiencies even if you pay attention to what you put on your plate. In fact, other factors can come into play: fatigue, stress, too much sport, heat, etc. Food supplements then become wonderful allies, invaluable for making up for deficiencies.
Our dietary supplements for fat- and water-soluble vitamins:
- Living Gold: to make up for a lack of fat-soluble vitamin E!
- Li Ksirel: if you want to provide your body with plenty of vitamin C while carrying out a detox!
- Nat'Forme: thanks to the acerola extract it contains, this product will also help you make up for a vitamin C deficiency.
- Mac Oc Premium: If you need vitamin B12, which plays a key role in energy metabolism, or vitamin C, our Mac Oc Premium will be your ally! In our "Vitality" pack, Living Gold & Mac Oc Premium are combined to give you the benefits of both products' fat- and water-soluble vitamins! A winning combination!
- Cool: are you looking for a little vitamin B6 to protect your nervous system from stress? Then our Cool is for you!
Please note: the daily doses for each product are indicated on the labels.
Now you know the differences between water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins!
