Which vitamins are fat-soluble?

• A. Vitamins C and B
• B. Vitamins A, D, E and K
• C. Minerals
• D. Water

Answer: (B)

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed with dietary fat and stored in the body, mainly in the liver and adipose tissue. The vitamins that are fat-soluble are A, D, E, and K. They need bile acids and pancreatic enzymes to be properly emulsified and absorbed in the small intestine, and they travel through the body packaged in lipoproteins. Because they can be stored, they don’t have to be consumed every day, but this storage also means they can accumulate to toxic levels if taken in excess, especially from supplements. In contrast, water-soluble vitamins like C and the B vitamins are not stored in large amounts and are excreted in urine, so they generally require more regular intake and carry a lower risk of toxicity from short-term excess. Minerals and water are not vitamins.