Water-soluble vitamins

Definition

Water-soluble vitamins are vitamins that dissolve in water and are not stored in the body, requiring regular intake through diet. They include the B-complex group and Vitamin C.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Water-soluble vitamins are excreted in urine, reducing the risk of toxicity.
2. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that requires intrinsic factor for absorption in the gut.
3. Vitamin C is important for collagen synthesis, wound healing, and immune function.
4. Deficiencies in water-soluble vitamins can lead to conditions such as scurvy (Vitamin C) or beriberi (Thiamine).
5. Excess intake of water-soluble vitamins usually has minimal side effects due to their excretion via urine.

Review Questions

• What distinguishes water-soluble vitamins from fat-soluble vitamins?
• Why must water-soluble vitamins be consumed more regularly than fat-soluble vitamins?
• What role does Vitamin C play in the body?

Related terms

Fat-Soluble Vitamins:

Vitamins that dissolve in fats and oils and can be stored in the body's fatty tissue.

B-Complex Vitamins:

A group of water-soluble vitamins that play important roles in cell metabolism.

Intrinsic Factor:

A glycoprotein produced by the stomach necessary for the absorption of Vitamin B12.