NUTRITION SCIENCE: fat soluble

Compounds with vitamin K activity are substitute 1,4-naphthoquinones and therefore have the general chemical properties expected of all quinines.

Vitamin K compounds other than modified menadiones are soluble in lipids, ether and other non-polar organic solvents.

Vitamin K is essential for the synthesis of prothrombin a compound involved in the clotting of blood. Vitamin K is mostly needed to help to stop bleeding, but it has some other jobs as well.

The most important is the crucial role vitamin K, plays building bones. Vitamin K is needed to help hold onto the calcium in bones and make sure it’s getting to the right place.

Phylloquinones or vitamin K1 compounds are produced by plants. Vitamin K1 is synthesized commercially for use in infant formula, medical foods, and pharmaceutical, VitaminK1 is used in olestra-containing products.

Vitamin K1 is primarily absorbed in the jejunum and ileum; only small amounts are absorbed in the colon, Form the lymphatic system, vitamin K is transported to the circulatory system and in chylomicro9nsm to the liver from which it is distributed to target tissues.
Properties of vitamin

The fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are found in the fats and oils of food. Unlike water soluble counterparts, these vitamins are absorbed like dietary fat, with the assistance of bile acids.

Unlike water soluble vitamins, fat soluble vitamins are circulated away from small intestine in the lymph via chylomicrons before eventually entering the blood either as components of lipoproteins or bound to transport proteins.

Once absorbed, these vitamins are stored in the lover and fatty tissues until the body needs them.

The risk of toxicity from vitamin A and D is greater that that of vitamin E and K. A toxic affect from vitamin D can be seen when one consumes only ten times the body’s need. In contrast, consuming just three times the body’s need for vitamin A can lead to toxicity.

Fat soluble vitamins play diverse roles in the body. Vitamins A and D act somewhat like hormones, directing cells it convert one substance to another to store this or to release that.

Fat soluble vitamins typically found in fatty portions of foods, and they easily destroyed by heat and light.
General characteristics of fat soluble vitamins