Vitamins serve crucial functions in almost all bodily processes (immune, hormonal and nervous systems) and must be obtained from food or supplements as our bodies are unable to make vitamins. There are thirteen vitamins classified as either water soluble (C and B complex) or fat soluble (A, D, E and K).

Vitamins are part of the micro nutrients in the diet. Although we need these substances in much smaller amounts than the macro nutrients (protein, fats & CHO) they remain a vital part of our diet if we are to maintain optimum health.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins A, D, E & K are know as the fat soluble, meaning that they can only be absorbed, transported and utilised in the presence of fat. As we know we do need fat in the body to survive, therefore a diet which is low in good fats will lead to deficiency of the fat soluble vitamins. This is another reason why crash & ‘diet group’ diets are not good news!

Water Soluble Vitamins

The B group of vitamins and vitamin C are all known as the water soluble, so it goes without saying that they are transported and utilised within water. They are all absorbed along the length of the digestive tract and tend to have an effect within the cells themselves. These vitamins can not be stored within the body in any great quantities and therefore, we need to include them in our daily diet if we are to avoid deficiency resulting in ill health. A diet heavy in both refined simple & complex carbohydrates containing excess sugar & white flour via the bad guys bread, pasta etc will eventually lead to such deficiency!