Fat Soluble Vitamins and Minerals
Integrative and Functional Medical Nutrition Therapy by: Diane Noland, Jeanne A. Drisko, Leigh Wagner
Fat-soluble vitamins are at risk of deficiency with certain states of malabsorption and malnutrition. In postmenopausal women, 5 mg of vitamin K1 protected postmenopausal women from bone fractures. In nature, vitamins A and D are found together in balance such as in cod liver oil, egg yolk, and organ meats. Vitamins A and D function in many systems throughout the body beyond the eyes and bones. Furthermore, vitamins A and D are important as immune and hormone modulators as well as affecting structural forms such as bones, cell membranes, tissues, etc. Vitamin E is a family of fat-soluble antioxidants that mainly refers to alpha tocopherol, but naturally includes several tocopherols and tocotrienols. Vegetable oils contain higher amounts of tocopherols, while tocotrienols are found in palm oil. Both tocopherols and tocotrienols have four homologues consisting of alpha, beta, gamma, and delta. Gamma-tocopherol is known mainly for its beneficial function in maintaining cardiovascular health, whereas the tocotrienols have shown more diverse application and protection against cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegeneration, oxidative stress, fertility, and immune regulation. Magnesium is often left undiscussed in treating bone health and cardiovascular disease. Low magnesium status may lead to a greater risk of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, skeletal disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, depression, decreased cognition, and vitamin D deficiency. Magnesium plays a critical synergistic role in the synthesis and metabolism of parathyroid hormone (PTH), vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP), and three major enzymes that determine 25-OH vitamin D concentrations. Inconsistencies have been found in observational studies around the world showing a relationship between high sodium intake and hypertension. Potassium is an electrolyte needed for normal cellular function and is easily excreted by healthy functioning kidneys rather than stored in the body. Therefore, humans need a constant supply of potassium through the diet. Adequate intake of fruits and vegetables is a major source of potassium. Zinc is used clinically in supplement form to facilitate wound healing; decrease skin inflammation; support immune function, tissue growth, and maintenance of thyroid function; promote GI tract healing; protect against such ocular diseases as macular degeneration; and promote testosterone balance. Symptoms of severe zinc deficiency include hypogonadism, dwarfism, growth-retarded infants and children, dermatitis, diarrhea, alopecia, and loss of appetite. More moderate zinc deficiency can result in decreased immune function, increased mortality due to infections, and brain damage in a fetus when the pregnant mother is zinc deficient.
