Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble, which means they require fats in the diet to be properly absorbed. People who have intestinal diseases that make it difficult for them to digest fats may suffer from deficiencies of these important compounds. Fat-soluble vitamins are important to eye health, bone growth, antioxidant support and blood clotting, and ongoing research indicates that these vitamins may play a more complex role in human health.
Support Healthy Eyesight
Vitamin A is perhaps the most important vitamin for eye health. It is comprised of several distinct compounds, including retinol and retinal. Vitamin A is essential in the formation of rhodopsin, or visual purple, a pigment in the eye that allows you to see in very low levels of light. A deficiency of vitamin A in the diet results in night blindness.
Retinoic acid, another vitamin A compound, is active in the regulation of gene expression. Vitamin A is also active in supporting the immune system, is necessary for growth and development and seems to be involved in moving stored iron to developing red blood cells. Since the human body can store fat-soluble vitamins in the liver and adipose tissue, and because these vitamins aren't quickly flushed out from the body, it is possible to take in too much vitamin A, resulting in a condition known as hypervitaminosis A.
Ensure Bone Health
Vitamin D helps your body retain the calcium and phosphorus necessary to ensure bone growth and health, and may also be key in strengthening muscles. Vitamin D is called the "sunshine vitamin" because your body is able to use the sun's ultraviolet B rays to manufacture its own vitamin D from stored cholesterol. Vitamin D may help to lower blood pressure and play a role in preventing colorectal cancer. The vitamin also helps regulate your body's immune system. Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of getting multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes and even the flu. Consuming too much vitamin D can result in a condition called hypercalcemia, where there is too much calcium in the blood.
Reduce Free-Radical Damage
Vitamin E's main function in your body is that of an antioxidant. Antioxidants help to protect your body's cells from damage by substances called free radicals, which may contribute to the development of cancer. Free radicals are produced naturally by biochemical processes in the body, but as unpaired molecules, they create instability internally.
Vitamin E occurs in eight distinct compounds, but only alpha-tocopherol is thought to be necessary for human health. Vitamin E contributes to a healthy immune system and is involved with cell signaling and gene expression. Vitamin E may help to prevent coronary heart disease, macular degeneration and even cognitive decline.
Promote Proper Blood Clotting
Vitamin K's function in your body is to help produce the necessary proteins that enable your blood to clot properly and the proteins that are involved in the production of bone tissue. A vitamin K deficiency would lead to wounds that bleed excessively, resulting in anemia or even the risk of death. Only small amounts of vitamin K are necessary for good health, and most people get enough of the vitamin from their diets. Some species of bacteria that inhabit the intestines manufacture vitamin K, and this can be absorbed by the human body.
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