Most people get enough fat-soluble vitamins from their diet, but supplements may be helpful for some. The list of fat-soluble vitamins is quite short. Stored in the liver and fatty tissues, vitamins A, D, E, and K are tucked away until your body needs them.

Discover the benefits of fat-soluble vitamins and how to meet your needs. What Makes a Vitamin Fat-Soluble?

Vitamins, which are organic substances we must get from food to perform basic body functions, come in two forms: fat-soluble and water-soluble .

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed in the body in fats and oils. Meanwhile, water-soluble vitamins are dissolved in water during digestion before they’re absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine. Are Fat-Soluble Vitamins Good or Bad for You?

Fat-soluble vitamins are certainly good for you. Each fat-soluble vitamin has its own unique benefits: Vitamin A supports healthy vision and immunity, vitamin K plays a role in blood clotting and regulating blood pressure, vitamin E fights cell damage, and vitamin D is key for bone and muscle health.

But reaping these and other benefits depends on consuming fat-soluble vitamins in appropriate amounts.

Because fat-soluble vitamins dissolve in fat, they don’t exit the body quickly the way water-soluble vitamins do (in urine ), and tend to linger longer, says Will Bulsiewicz, MD , a gastroenterologist based in Charleston, South Carolina.

While their longevity helps ensure you have these vitamins on hand when needed, it also makes it easier for fat-soluble vitamins to build up to dangerous levels.

“Consuming too many fat-soluble vitamins can cause unpleasant side effects and can even pose safety concerns, such as reducing the effectiveness of medications, preventing blood from clotting, or increasing the risk of certain cancers,” says Emma Laing, PhD, RDN , a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and the director of dietetics at the University of Georgia in Athens.It’s unlikely you’ll overdo it on fat-soluble vitamins if you eat a balanced diet, Dr. Laing says.But supplements, which often contain high amounts of vitamins, can create excess. People who take warfarin, an anticoagulant medication, have to be especially careful not to get too much […]

What Are the Fat-Soluble Vitamins?