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What is essential for their utilization?
Fat-soluble vitamins must be solubilized in oil, emulsified in order to be assimilated in the bloodstream. Bile has an emulsifying effect on fat, in case of e.g. bile duct obstruction, absorption is inhibited. Fat-soluble vitamins should then be administered in water-soluble form until the bile problem is corrected. In such cases, fat-soluble vitamins undergo chemical changes and are excreted in the feces.
Therapeutic dosages?
Individual requirements may be totally different, yet some of the traditional amounts are as follows:
Classical dose for vitamin A is 4000 I.U. / day. Yet 16,000 – 30,000 I.U. can be prescribed for therapeutic effects. This is a safe dosage.
Recommended doses of vitamin D are 400 I.U.. However, therapeutic dosages can be from 400 – 1750 I.U’s per day.
Official recommendations of vitamin E are between 30 – 70 I.U’s per day. Realistically, dosages should be between 600 – 800 I.U.’s.
Dietary sources are best for administration of vitamin K such as alfalfa, cabbage, cauliflower, soybeans, spinach.
In some instances, prescription of one or two mg of menadione every third day is sufficient.
Deficiency signs?
Vitamin A:
Ocular problems, pancreatic, biliary insufficiency, night blindness, conjunctivitis, photophobia, celiac disease, lazy eye.
Vitamin D:
Soft bones, abnormal teeth, knock knees, bow legs, rickets, osteoporosis, retarded growth
Vitamin E:
Premature aging, muscle wasting, dystrophy, cardiac ailment, hemolytic anemia
Vitamin K:
Abnormal clotting, embolism, abnormal bleeding, hypoprothrombinemia, in some cases floaters
Precautions for usage?
Since fat-soluble vitamins are stored in our bodies, care should be taken when administering them. Potential harmful levels may build up, even though few cases of vitamin toxicity have been reported.
Support the patient during therapy
It should be assessed whether a patient can properly assimilate fat-soluble vitamins, e.g. sufficient bile is produced for emulsification of fats. If not, vitamins are excreted with feces. Dosages administered must be monitored and possibly re-evaluated depending on symptoms shown.
Suggestions for proper assimilation
If fat cannot be digested and absorbed properly, a water-soluble version of the vitamins can be administered until the e.g. bile problems is healed.
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