Water-Soluble Vitamins
Vitamin C and all of the B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins. These watersoluble vitamins circulate freely in the blood, in the watery fluids between cells, and in the fluids inside cells. The solubility of a vitamin affects its mode of action, storage, and toxicity. Most of the water-soluble vitamins can move through the bloodstream without needing carriers for transport; in fact, only vitamin B12 needs a binding protein for transport in the bloodstream.
Any excesses of water-soluble vitamins are eliminated by the kidneys. Folates and vitamin B12 are exceptions to this rule and are regulated by the liver and released through the bile. The B vitamins are inactive until they are transformed into their coenzyme form. All of the water-soluble vitamins can act as important parts of the coenzymes that make enzymatic reactions possible.as seen in Figure-1
Figure-1 Vitamins can form part of the
coenzymes that activate enzymes.
Introduction
It is important to note that water-soluble vitamins are vulnerable to losses during cooking as they can easily leach out into cooking water. Many of these vitamins are sensitive to heat as well. Unfortunately, all types of vitamins are depleted during the refining of grains. With the exception of vitamin B12, these water-soluble vitamins must be eaten regularly as storage in our bodies is limited.
Water-soluble vitamins are not toxic when consumed in food. Supplements of water-soluble vitamins are also not toxic in normal amounts. One exception is supplemental vitamin B3, but only when taken in the form of iacin, which can cause skin flushing. Another exception is Vitamin C. Vitamin C can cause intestinal irritation, but only when taken in large amounts and in the acidic form (ascorbic acid).
When taken in an ascorbated or buffered form, Vitamin C is not irritating, even in large doses. With the water-soluble vitamins we have the antioxidant support and coenzymes needed to help our systems run smoothly. Read on for more detail about how these wonderful nutrients work.
Vitamin C and all of the B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins. These watersoluble vitamins circulate freely in the blood, in the watery fluids between cells, and in the fluids inside cells. The solubility of a vitamin affects its mode of action, storage, and toxicity. Most of the water-soluble vitamins can move through the bloodstream without needing carriers for transport; in fact, only vitamin B12 needs a binding protein for transport in the bloodstream.
Any excesses of water-soluble vitamins are eliminated by the kidneys. Folates and vitamin B12 are exceptions to this rule and are regulated by the liver and released through the bile. The B vitamins are inactive until they are transformed into their coenzyme form. All of the water-soluble vitamins can act as important parts of the coenzymes that make enzymatic reactions possible.as seen in Figure-1
coenzymes that activate enzymes.
It is important to note that water-soluble vitamins are vulnerable to losses during cooking as they can easily leach out into cooking water. Many of these vitamins are sensitive to heat as well. Unfortunately, all types of vitamins are depleted during the refining of grains. With the exception of vitamin B12, these water-soluble vitamins must be eaten regularly as storage in our bodies is limited.
Water-soluble vitamins are not toxic when consumed in food. Supplements of water-soluble vitamins are also not toxic in normal amounts. One exception is supplemental vitamin B3, but only when taken in the form of iacin, which can cause skin flushing. Another exception is Vitamin C. Vitamin C can cause intestinal irritation, but only when taken in large amounts and in the acidic form (ascorbic acid).
When taken in an ascorbated or buffered form, Vitamin C is not irritating, even in large doses. With the water-soluble vitamins we have the antioxidant support and coenzymes needed to help our systems run smoothly. Read on for more detail about how these wonderful nutrients work.
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