The 13 Essential Vitamins

In humans there are 13 essential vitamins. Nine are classified as water-soluble (Eight B vitamins and vitamin C) and four are classified as fat-soluble (A, D, E and K). Water-soluble vitamins dissolve easily in water, and unused vitamins are readily excreted from the body. Because they are not readily stored, consistent daily intake is important.

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed through the intestinal tract with the help of lipids. Because they are more likely to accumulate in the body, they are more likely to lead to high storage levels and thus more potentially toxicity than are water-soluble vitamins.

<Back