Cebu City – There are two types of vitamins as we all know. The fat-soluble and the water-soluble vitamins. Both have beneficial effects on our bodies. But what really is the function of vitamins in our body?

Vitamins have many roles in the body not just by improving the immune system, but also turns food into energy, as well as repairing damaged cells in the body. Several bodily functions depend on them, including cell reproduction, growth, and energy transport within the cell.

The fat-soluble vitamins consist of Vitamins A, D, E, and K while the water-soluble vitamins consist of Vitamin C and the B complex vitamins. But what are the differences between them?

Fat-soluble vitamins are those vitamins that are stored in the body for future use. It is absorbed in our intestines. Fat-soluble vitamins are found mainly in fatty foods such as animal fats, including butter and lard, vegetable oils, dairy foods, liver, and oily fish.

On the other hand, water-soluble vitamins are absorbed mainly into the blood through the portal vein. It must be supplied in our diet every day. It is mostly found in vegetables, milk, eggs, butter, meat, legumes, peas, liver, fortified grains, and cereals.

It is important to know the roles and functions of vitamins in our daily diet, and consume the right amount to maintain a healthy body and prevent the occurrence of illness. // PDO I Joyce M. Santillan, RND


REFERENCES:
The Fat-Soluble Vitamins: A, D, E and K (healthline.com)
The Water-Soluble Vitamins: C and B Complex (healthline.com)