Difference Between Water and Fat Soluble Vitamins (With Table)

Water-soluble vitamins absorb swiftly into tissues, allowing them to be used right away. They are capable of dissolving in water. Because they are not stored in the body, they must be provided on a regular basis in our food. These vitamins have low toxicity and are hydrophilic.  

Fat-soluble vitamins are capable of dissolving in fat as they are easily absorbed by fat globules. After which, they are distributed through the body with the help of the bloodstream. It is hydrophobic in nature. Any excess fat-soluble vitamins are usually retained in a person’s fatty tissue or liver for further use.   

Comparison Table Between Water and Fat Soluble Vitamins 

What are Water Soluble Vitamins? 

Water-soluble vitamins are easier to absorb and use in the body’s tissues than fat-soluble vitamins because they dissolve in water.  

If there is an excess of water-soluble vitamins, they are excreted through the urine. If they aren’t removed in time, they may reach dangerously high amounts, which are extremely unhealthy. For example, vitamin C (a Water-soluble vitamin) produces diarrhea if it reaches high levels in the body. 

Water-soluble vitamins are hydrophilic by nature, as you might expect. Vitamin B and Vitamin C are two vitamins that come within this category. The small intestine absorbs all of these vitamins. These vitamins are easily dissolved in water and absorbed in the digestive system because of their affinity for water. 

Because our bodies require these vitamins, we must ensure that we consume them on a regular basis. Especially since they are not capable of being stored in the body because they dissolve in water which means that they quickly dissolve in the body.  

When water-soluble vitamins reach the body, they dissolve in it. As a result, people are unable to retain surplus water-soluble vitamins for later use. The symptoms of these deficiencies tend to appear quickly. Far more quickly than the deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins. 

Any of these water-soluble vitamin deficiencies cause a clinical condition that can lead to serious morbidity and fatality. Some of the symptoms of deficiency include fissures at the corners of the mouth, skin issues, itchy eyes, reproductive problems, red eyes, cataracts, etc. Riboflavin in excess. Riboflavin has no recognized issues with overconsumption. 

What are Fat Soluble Vitamins? 

Fat-soluble vitamins are those vitamins that have the ability to dissolve in fat or fat globules. These vitamins are also hydrophobic. 

Because fat-soluble vitamins are difficult to eliminate, if ingested in excess, they can build up to harmful amounts. Overdosing on fat-soluble vitamin supplements may produce toxicity in situations where a well-balanced diet cannot. 

They’re more common in high-fat diets, and they’re absorbed faster when combined with fat. High-fat foods include dairy products, fatty fish, egg yolks, liver, and beef containing fat-soluble vitamins.  

In reality, they are unable to move freely through the bloodstream. To connect and transport them to their proper places, a carrier protein is necessary. At greater doses, these vitamins can cause toxicity. In larger quantities, they are more hazardous than water-soluble vitamins. 

Fat globules absorb them as they pass into the main circulation of our bodies after being passed through the small intestine. They’re more common in high-fat diets, and they’re absorbed faster when combined with fat.  

There are various symptoms of deficiency of fat-soluble vitamins. Some of these are night blindness, increased oxidative cells, bleeding, osteomalacia, etc. Are caused by the deficiency of vitamins A, E, K, and D. 

Main Differences Water and Fat Soluble Vitamins 

1. Vitamins that have the ability to dissolve in water are known as water-soluble vitamins. On the other hand, vitamins that have the ability to dissolve in fat are known as fat-soluble vitamins.  
2. Vitamins that are water soluble are hydrophilic, while those that are fat soluble are hydrophobic. 
3. Water-soluble vitamins have a low toxicity rate, whereas fat-soluble vitamins have a higher toxicity rate. 
4. Fat-soluble vitamins can be stored in the body since they don’t dissolve as quickly as water-soluble vitamins.  
5. Symptoms of deficiency for water soluble vitamins appear quickly, whereas the symptoms of deficiency for fat soluble vitamins are slower to develop in comparison. 
6. You do not need to consume fat soluble vitamins daily, whereas you need to consume water soluble vitamins fairly regularly for optimum health. 

Conclusion 

We take vitamins and supplements to augment the nutrients we obtain through our diet and exposure to sunlight. They enter the body in a variety of forms and are eliminated at different rates.  

The symptoms of deficiency of water-soluble vitamins tend to surface fairly quickly, whereas that of fat-soluble vitamins tend to surface way more slowly. You also need to consume water-soluble vitamins more often in comparison.  

This is done because fat-soluble vitamins are more than capable of being stored in the body for long-term use, while water-soluble vitamins can’t be stored in the body mainly because they dissolve too quickly. 

References 

1. https://www.ilfattoalimentare.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Nutrition-for-the-Primary-Care-Provider-nestle.pdf#page=42 
2. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19651401987