Vitamins Part 2
Fat soluble vitamins – it’s complex and yet I promised a brief overview and hopefully provide some light on why those with an FOD deficiency may have a tougher time absorbing and using these vitamins.
So, What are the fat-soluble vitamins? and What makes them different from water soluble vitamins?
They are A, D, E, and K.
These vitamins require fatty acid chains of 6 carbon lengths or more for proper conversion and transportation within the body. Fat-soluble vitamins’ do not get transported, metabolized, or utilized in a hydrophilic (water loving) environment. While these vitamins will spend some time in the blood (which has a higher water concentration), they will not be accessable to the body until they are properly processed ( explained below!).
Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in tissue, which consists of a lower concentration of water.
The Importance of Vitamin’s & Consuming Some Fat:
Humans need to consume vitamins through diet. Even though vitamins can be synthesized in some cases via metabolic processes, it is usually not adequate for most bodily functions. That is why it is vital we consume vitamins through food and/or supplementation. Those who follow a low-fat diet, regardless, if you are an individual with an FOD disorder or not, also needs to consume an adequate amount of fats (short, medium and even long-chain fatty acids) for the utilization and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins’. This is why, it is recommended if you are taking any of the fat-soluble vitamins listed above you also take MCT oil or consume these vitamins with some other dietary fat source – such as in a meal (for example, salmon or small amounts of olive oil).
Note: If you take nothing else away from this blog post – remember this:
These fat-soluble vitamins help with so many metabolic processes from vision and cellular structure/cellular health to immune functioning, blood coagulation, metabolic regulations and so much more. These vitamins deserve our respect!
The Chemistry of it all:
Now, I could spend time giving you a chemistry lesson – explaining that vitamin A is converted to a retinol molecule, vitamin D predominantly exists in two forms (D2 and D3), vitamin E is known as alpha tocopherol, and vitamin K comes in two forms (K1 and K2)…below, you will find a simple step-by-step option describing the metabolic process (- you’ve got this – keep reading)!
How Fat-Soluble Vitamins Get Processed In Your Body:
- Fat Soluble vitamins are absorbed and transported much the same way regardless of which vitamins you are discussing (A, D, E or K). This is due to their low solubility in hydrophilic (water loving) media (aka your body). These vitamins’ do not like most locations within our body, because the vast majority of your body consist of water.
- The body absorbs fat-soluble vitamins into newly forming micelles in the small intestine. Micelles are lipid (fat) clusters that contain hydrophobic (water hating) groups internally and hydrophilic (water loving) groups externally.
- This process relies on the secretion of bile salts and pancreatic enzymes. After absorption into enterocytes, fat-soluble vitamins become packaged into chylomicrons (think of them as a box for shipping), which then get secreted into the lymphatic system before entering the bloodstream. Chylomicrons (the shipping boxes) are metabolized (broken down) by lipoprotein lipase (an enzyme), which causes the release of fat-soluble vitamins into tissues for use and storage (Riddy, P., alt, 2022).
One Theory Why LCHADD Patients Have a Harder Time Utilizing These vitamin’s
- Different studies have suggested that MCT oil rich diets (such as those who are on a low-fat diet such as an individual with LCHADD) have a harder time converting and re-utilizing these vitamins for later use. This could explain some of the reasons why individuals with LCHADD are thought to not be able to uptake fat soluble vitamins as well. And are recommended to supplement their diets with these vitamins as part of their dietary. protocol. Note: none of this research is definitive or conclusive – and should be taken as a conjectured theory for reason rather than absolute fact.
- There is evidence published by the NIH (National Institute of Health) showing that fat-soluble vitamin absorption is reduced by too little (limiting of) fatty acids in the diet and reduced bile salt production. Thus, one could conclude those with LCHADD have a tougher time absorbing fat-soluble vitamins ( Densupsoontorn, N., atl, 2014).
- Because of the limited fat consumption of LCHADD patients, there is always a risk of these vitamins becoming deficient for the individual.
- Because of the limiting factor of fat-soluble vitamin uptake for those with LCHADD – patients may be recommended by their care team to supplement their diet with these vitamins.
Reminder: Always talk to your care team about what vitamins you should be taking and get frequent diet analysis to ensure you are providing your body with the best vitamin profile for your dietary needs.
You have made it through another long post! Sign up for the news letter to receive my 5-point vitamin selection tool!
As Always: Feel free to set up an appointment with me – I’m happy to discuss the vitamins’ that are right for you!
Cited References
Densupsoontorn, N., Jirapinyo, P., Tirapongporn, H., Wongarn, R., Chotipanang, K., Phuangphan, P., & Chongviriyaphan, N. (2014, November). Fat-soluble vitamins and plasma and erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in chylothorax pediatric patients receiving a medium-chain triglyceride-rich diet. Journal of clinical biochemistry and nutrition. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4227826/
Riddy, P., & JialalNa, I. (2022, September 19). Biochemistry, water soluble vitamins - statpearls - NCBI bookshelf. National Library of Medicine . https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538510/
