Key Differences Between Water and Fat Soluble Vitamins
The vitamins are different from minerals, fatty acids, and amino acids. The vitamins have various biochemical functions. Vitamins are of six types namely vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E & vitamin K. Each vitamin has unique properties and molecular structures. This will take care of various biochemical functions in the body. Maximum vitamins are not made up of single molecules, but groups of molecules called vitamers.
Vitamins are an essential part of maintaining biochemical functions in the human body. Vitamin is also an essential component for maintaining good health.
Vitamins are of two types –
Fat-soluble (easily stored in fat upon absorption)
Water-soluble (washed out and not easily stored).
Although apart from their characteristics, all vitamins are essential for health. Consuming vitamins with regular food is essential, and it also prevents deficiency, which causes a lack of vitamins.
The water-soluble vitamins are Vitamin C and Vitamin B complex. The types of vitamin B are thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folate, and cobalamin.
Water-soluble vitamins can be consumed easily regularly—any foods, especially green vegetables and fresh fruits, are vibrant with vitamins. Also, milk, eggs, butter, meat, legumes, peas, liver, fortified grains, and cereals contain the exact amount of vitamin that is needed regularly.
By research, it is proven that the vitamin B complex is essential for average body growth. It also helps develop healthy skin, red blood cell formation, the proper function of nerves and the heart.
The Extreme lack of water-soluble vitamins is rare in North America. For those who consume alcohol in high amounts, malabsorption syndromes, strict veganism, and malnourished states also cause vitamin deficiency in their body.
The molecular substance present in the organic substance is called vitamins. The vitamin which is soluble in water is termed water-soluble vitamins. The degree of dissolving vitamins in water varies depending on substance properties. The degree of solubility varies depending on the property that influences the route of absorption, the excretion rate, and the level of tissue stage. The water-soluble vitamins are extracted and stored in different methods. This molecule contains major elements like carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Some combinations of vitamins also contain sulfur, nitrogen, or cobalt.
Water-Soluble Vitamins
The water-soluble vitamins functions are mostly inactive in their free state, and it gets activated with their coenzyme forms. The addition of phosphate groups helps in the activation of thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin B6. The modification in structure helps to activate biotin. Many complex molecules are involved in activating niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, and vitamin B12. Once the coenzyme activation occurred in vitamins, they started to combine with proper protein components, this process is termed as apoenzyme. This is the initial stage to undergo enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
Water-Soluble Vitamins Functions
The enzyme system requires transferring certain groups between molecules for the formation of vitamin B coenzymes. As a result of the formation of coenzymes, specific proteins, fats and carbohydrates are synthesized and utilized for the production of body tissues or to store or release energy. For the formation of pantothenic acid coenzymes, vitamins need to undergo the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
This process is also known as the Krebs cycle or citric acid cycle. This process gets interconnected with carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. This coenzyme A acts as a hub for the reaction, as this molecule is controlling the interconversion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins further, they are converted into metabolic energy.
During the citric acid cycle, thiamin and vitamin B6 coenzymes limit the conversion of carbohydrates and proteins respectively. Niacin and riboflavin coenzymes help to transfer hydrogen ions or electrons, this mainly occurs during the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These coenzymes also facilitate transfer reactions. This reaction is not a part of the tricarboxylic acid cycle.
The vitamin C enzyme-catalyzed reaction does not involve coenzyme formation. Its functional characteristics are related to the properties of a strong reducing agent.
Metabolism through Water Soluble Vitamins
The water-soluble vitamins get absorbed in the animal intestine and directly passed into the blood. The cells and tissues start utilizing it. Vitamin B12 requires a substance to get absorbed, it is known as an intrinsic factor. Some states of Vitamin B cannot be absorbed directly by animals. The animal intestine cannot absorb niacytin, which is the bounded form of niacin present in cereals grains. The raw egg white contains avidin, the bounded form of biotin.
The digestive tract enzymes cannot absorb or break down such vitamins and remain unutilized. The biotin, vitamin B6, and folic acid are bound with other molecules to form complexes or conjugated molecules in animal products. Although, none of the vitamins are active. These three vitamins normally release the bounds by the action of enzymes in the intestinal tract or the tissues. Both plants and animal tissues distribute vitamin B for metabolism.
The water-soluble vitamins get excreted through the urine. Elements like thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, riboflavin, biotin, niacin, and pantothenic acid are excreted as free vitamins in urine. The products formed using the above vitamins can also be identified in urine. The excretion of vitamins through urine gets reduced once one starts intaking sufficient quantities.
If the intake satisfies the minimal requirement, the excess vitamins will get stored in the tissues. As the tissue storage capacity is less, the excretion level starts to increase sharply once the tissues get saturated. Some water-soluble vitamins named vitamin B12, folic acid, and biotin get excreted through the feces. The source of water-soluble vitamins for this discharge is intestinal bacteria.
The water-soluble vitamins functions are generally toxic if it is taken in excessive amounts. But this has some exceptions in human beings. While an excess level of niacin helps for the dilation of blood vessels, an excessive amount of niacin impacts liver function. If the thiamin exceeds the requirement level by 100 times, it may result in respiratory failure. The recommended doses of thiamin do not cause such toxic effects in human beings. No other vitamin B causes such toxicity.
Effect of Water-Soluble Vitamins
Lack of any vitamin in the body may cause serious issues. So, here is a discussion that would help one get more information about water-soluble vitamins from Vedantu.
Thiamine (B1)
Lack of thiamine causes beriberi, which is a severe medical condition. In that case, one starts to lose weight and appetite. They start to feel weak. In some cases, one may lose their memory.
Riboflavin (B2)
Deficiency of riboflavin causes infection in lips and mouth.
Niacin (B3)
A severe deficiency of niacin can lead to pellagra. It includes dermatitis, dementia, and diarrhea. This kind of disease may carry toward malnutrition and weakness.
There is also some deficiency like anemia, malnutrition, and many more caused by other vitamins.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid, ascorbate)
Vitamin C helps in collagen growth, bone formation, enhancing the immune system, absorbing iron, wound healing, strengthening blood vessels, and acting as an antioxidant. A resulting lack of Vitamin C causes scurvy. That has the symptoms like loss of teeth, poor wound healing, swollen and bleeding gums, and poor tissue growth.
Conclusion
Vitamins are the organic substances present in natural food supplements. Vitamins are made up of organic molecules, which is an essential micronutrient that helps to function proper metabolism in the body. These essential nutrients cannot be synthesized by themselves. So, it is important for every organism to tabulate its diet chart including vitamins. Students can follow Vedantu to learn about water-soluble vitamins explained by experienced and expert teachers.
FAQs on Water Soluble Vitamins: Essential Guide for Students
1. What are water-soluble vitamins and what is their primary characteristic?
Water-soluble vitamins are a group of essential micronutrients that dissolve in water. Their primary characteristic is that they are not stored in large amounts in the body. Any excess intake is typically flushed out through the urine, which means they must be consumed regularly through our diet to prevent deficiency.
2. Which vitamins are classified as water-soluble?
The two main groups of water-soluble vitamins are Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and the Vitamin B-complex. The Vitamin B-complex is a group of eight distinct vitamins:
- B1 (Thiamine)
- B2 (Riboflavin)
- B3 (Niacin)
- B5 (Pantothenic Acid)
- B6 (Pyridoxine)
- B7 (Biotin)
- B9 (Folate)
- B12 (Cobalamin)
3. What are some key functions of water-soluble vitamins in the human body?
Water-soluble vitamins play crucial roles in various bodily processes. For example, Vitamin C is essential for repairing tissues, boosting the immune system, and acting as an antioxidant. The B-complex vitamins are vital for energy metabolism, helping the body convert food into fuel, as well as supporting nerve function and the formation of red blood cells.
4. What are some common food sources for water-soluble vitamins?
These vitamins are found in a wide variety of foods. Rich sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits (oranges, lemons), strawberries, bell peppers, and broccoli. B-complex vitamins are commonly found in whole grains, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and green leafy vegetables.
5. What are the major deficiency diseases caused by a lack of specific water-soluble vitamins?
A deficiency in different water-soluble vitamins can lead to specific diseases. Notable examples include:
- Scurvy: Caused by a lack of Vitamin C, leading to bleeding gums and poor wound healing.
- Beriberi: Caused by a deficiency in Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), affecting the heart and nervous system.
- Pellagra: Results from a lack of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), causing dermatitis, diarrhoea, and dementia.
- Pernicious Anemia: Caused by an inability to absorb Vitamin B12, leading to a drop in red blood cells.
6. What is the main difference in how the body absorbs and stores water-soluble versus fat-soluble vitamins?
The key difference lies in their interaction with water and fat. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and are absorbed directly into the bloodstream. They circulate freely and are not stored, with excess being excreted. In contrast, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) require fat for absorption and are stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver for longer periods.
7. Why is the Vitamin B group referred to as a 'complex'?
The Vitamin B group is called a 'complex' because it consists of eight chemically distinct vitamins that often work together in the body. While they were once thought to be a single vitamin, research revealed they are individual compounds with unique functions, though they frequently coexist in the same food sources and share roles as coenzymes in metabolic pathways.
8. How does the preparation and cooking of food affect its water-soluble vitamin content?
Water-soluble vitamins are sensitive to heat and can be lost during cooking. Because they dissolve in water, boiling vegetables can cause vitamins like C and B to leach into the cooking water, which is often discarded. Methods like steaming, roasting, or stir-frying, which use less water, are generally better for preserving the vitamin content of food.
9. Is it possible to have an overdose or toxicity from water-soluble vitamins?
While toxicity is much rarer for water-soluble vitamins than for fat-soluble ones (because the body excretes the excess), it is possible with extremely high doses, usually from supplements. For instance, an excessive intake of Vitamin B6 can lead to nerve damage, and very high doses of Niacin (B3) can cause skin flushing and liver issues. However, reaching toxic levels from food alone is highly unlikely.
