Back to Ask the Nutritionist Home Know the Difference Between Fat- and Water-Soluble Nutrients Reviewed By Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD Many people think that taking a daily cocktail of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other supplements is a prescription for a healthy diet. But it's also likely that they don’t know whether the nutrients they're taking are fat soluble, water soluble, or if they are getting more of some nutrients than they need. Supplements, in general, are viewed as good for you, and people may think, "If one is good, then more is probably better." But that’s not necessarily true. Getting too many fat- or water-soluble nutrients, either from the food you eat or from supplements, can be dangerous. Vitamin and mineral supplements are serious business, and taking more than you need -- unless you are under the care of your doctor -- may be bad for your health. The Dangers of Too Much Anything Taking a vitamin or supplement as directed on the package label is considered to be safe, but not following directions can lead to problems.
"Excesses of all nutrients, from water, to iron, to water-soluble B vitamins, can potentially cause toxicities," says Norman Hord, PhD, MPH, RD, associate professor in the department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Michigan State University. People who take vitamins and minerals in amounts above the established upper limits of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) may harm tissues where the vitamin is stored in their body, Hord explains. That’s why you shouldn’t take more than the recommended amount. Vitamins and other nutrients play essential roles in maintaining good health, but they need to be consumed in the proper amounts. Vitamins are classified into two types: water-soluble vitamins and fat-soluble vitamins. They are divided into these groups according to how they are dissolved and stored in your body. Fat-soluble vitamins reside in your body's fatty tissue and liver and are used as needed by your body. By contrast, water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water and generally are not stored in your body.
Water-Soluble Vitamins and Nutrients Because water-soluble vitamins and nutrients dissolve in water, the continuous supply your body needs calls for a steady daily intake, from the foods you eat, from the supplements you take, or from a combination of foods and supplements. Vitamins C, B12, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, tryptophan, pantothenic acid, biotin, and folic acid are all classified in the water-soluble category. "Watch Out: This Popular Vitamin May Actually Deplete You of 7 Vital Compounds" These supplements only focus on about 12% of the healthy compounds available in its natural form – and if high levels of the one they contain flood your system, they can potentially deplete the other 7, wreaking havoc on your body. Label Snapshot for Vitamin E Rice Bran and Palm Fruit Oil Tocopherol Complex Rice Bran and Palm Fruit Oil Tocotrienol Complex OTHER INGREDIENTS: Vegetable Cellulose, Medium Chain Triglycerides. SUGGESTED USE: Adults, as a dietary supplement, take one (1) capsule daily.
MSRP: $31.25 Your Price: $24.97 Savings: $6.28 (20%) MSRP: $93.75 Your Price: $59.97 Savings: $33.78 (36%) Top 6 Frequently Asked Questions Kidney Disease Education Center What Is Kidney Disease Stages of Kidney Disease Causes of Kidney Disease Scheduling a Kidney Screening Symptoms of Kidney Failure End Stage Renal Disease Diet with Renal Failure Choosing a Kidney Doctor Find a Kidney Doctor Choosing a Dialysis Provider Planning for a Vascular Access Online Diet Management Tools Meet Your Local Kidney Expert Register for a no-cost, 90-minute training session taught by a certified instructor. Please Enter Your ZIP Code: 13 Essential Vitamins for People with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) According to the Institute of Medicine, the human body needs at least 13 vitamins to function properly. Following a balanced diet is the preferred way to get the recommended amount of these vitamins, however people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often cannot get all the recommended vitamins for varying health reasons.
People with CKD have greater requirements for some water soluble vitamins. Special renal vitamins are usually prescribed to provide extra water soluble vitamins needed. Renal vitamins contain vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin and a small dose of vitamin C. Below is an overview of the fat- and water-soluble vitamins your body cannot do without, and the dietary recommendations for people with CKD. Promotes the growth of cells and tissues; helps protect against infection. Levels are usually elevated; If needed, limit to the Daily Reference Intake (DRI) 700-900 ug/day. Helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus; deposits these minerals in bones and teeth; regulates parathyroid hormone (PTH). In CKD the kidney loses the ability to make vitamin D active. Supplementation with special active vitamin D is determined by calcium, phosphorus and PTH levels and available only by prescription. Helps protect cells from oxidation and free radicals to protect against heart disease and some types of cancer.
Supplement generally not needed; RDI is 8 to 10 milligrams per day. Very high doses (800 mg) may increase blood clotting time. Helps make blood clotting proteins, important for healthy bone formation. Supplements generally not needed unless long term poor intake combined with antibiotic therapy. Supplements can cause increased blood clotting and interfere with blood thinners. 5. Vitamin B1 (thiamin) Helps cells produce energy from carbohydrates, helps nervous system work properly. 1.5 mg/day supplement recommended in addition to daily dietary intake. 6. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) Helps cells produce energy, supports normal vision and healthy skin. 1.8 mg/day supplement for CKD on a low-protein diet. 1.1-1.3 mg/day supplement for those on dialysis, especially with poor appetite. Helps the body use sugars and fatty acids; helps cells produce energy; helps enzymes function in body. 14 to 20 mg/day supplement recommended for CKD patients (dialysis and non-dialysis).
Helps the body make protein, which is then used to make cells; also helps make red blood cells. 5 mg/day supplement for CKD non-dialysis. 10 mg/day supplement for dialysis. 50 mg/day when prescribed with folic acid and vitamin B12 to reduce homocysteine levels. Large doses (200 mg/day) over long period can cause nerve damage. Helps make DNA for new cells; works with vitamin B12 to make red blood cells. 1.0 mg/day supplement recommended for CKD (dialysis and non-dialysis). Include vitamin B12 or check blood levels; folate supplements can mask a vitamin B12 deficiency. Helps make new cells; works with folate to make red blood cells. 2-3 ug/day supplement recommended for CKD (dialysis and non-dialysis); deficiency can cause permanent nerve damage. Always include B12 supplement with folate. Helps the body absorb iron; manufacture collagen, form and repair red blood cells, bones and other tissues; maintains healthy gums and heals cuts and wounds;
keeps immune system healthy. 60-100 mg/day supplement recommended for CKD patients (dialysis and non-dialysis). Excess intake may cause oxalate deposits in bone and soft tissues. Helps cells produce energy and metabolize protein, fat and carbohydrates. 30-100 ug/day supplement recommended for CKD patients (dialysis and non-dialysis); dietary intake may be inadequate on a low-protein diet. Helps body produce energy and metabolize protein, fat and carbohydrates. 5 mg/day supplement recommended for CKD patients (dialysis and non-dialysis). Vitamins to avoid when you have CKD The fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) are more likely to build up in your body, so these are avoided unless prescribed by your kidney doctor. Vitamin A is especially a concern, as toxic levels may occur with daily supplements. Vitamin C supplements are recommended in a 60 to 100 mg dose. There is concern that if you have CKD, taking very high doses of vitamin C can cause a buildup of oxalate, which can be deposited in the bones and soft tissues.