Why does excess Vitamin C eliminated in urine, while excess vitamin A is accumulated in the liver?

Question

Help please. Thanks

Answer 1

Vitamin A is fat soluble; it attaches to the fat that is stored in the liver, and so builds up over time. Vitamin C is water soluble, and is therefore easily excreted in the urine and feces.

Answer 2

Vitamins A,D,E, & K are fat soluble vitamins. This means that the liver is the organ that must break them down and is responsible for the stores of these vitamins. (This is the reason that each of these can be toxic to the body if in excess.)

The remainder of the vitamins (including Vitamin C) are water soluble and are practically impossible to overdose on because we simply urinate out the excess.

Answer 3

Basically, vitamin C is water soluble, therefore excess amounts are excreted by the kidneys. Vitamin A is fat soluble, and stored in the liver after traveling around the blood stream and lymphatics attached to chylomicrons. Vitamin A accumulates in the stellate cells in the liver. But it is also excreted by the kidneys after various metabolic changes.

Answer 4

Using Vitamin C products beyond recommended the limits may cause stomachaches and diarrhea. Even though the body would only use as much as it needs of the vitamin, Vitamin C Overdose can hinder metabolic activities in the body. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Vitamin C in nonsmoking adults is 75 mg per day for women and 90 mg per day for men. For smokers, the RDAs are 110 mg per day for women and 125 mg per day for men. A dose of 200 milligrams daily is almost enough to maximize plasma and lymphocyte levels. Higher levels of Vitamin C are needed when under environmental stress such as trauma, fever or infection. Full saturation is reached with daily intakes of 200-500 mg per day (in 2-3 divided doses). This is a water-soluble protein, and anything in excess is excreted by the body. Vitamin C Overdose can cause diarrhea, gas, or stomach upset. Other side effects could be stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea, and an increased risk of developing kidney stones. Large amounts of Vitamin C reduce body levels of copper, an essential nutrient. People with iron overload diseases must avoid Vitamin C Overdose, as it increases iron absorption. Special medical advice must be taken by individuals who have kidney stones. If a pregnant mother takes 6,000 mg of Vitamin C, the baby may develop rebound scurvy due to a sudden drop in daily intake. Hemochromatosis patients should not take Vitamin C due to enhanced accumulation of non-heme iron in the presence of this vitamin. ALSO.... I loveeeee vit.c tablets and ate like 8 once just cos they're yummy.. and I was on the loo for hours!

Answer 5

Vitamin C and the B-comlplex of vitamins (including folic acid) are water-soluble. A, D and E are fat-soluble and have to have special transport mechanisms to get about. It's as if C can walk but A has to hail a cab.

Answer 6

Vitamin A is fat soluble.

Answer 7

vitamin c is water soluable so it processes easily and quickly. vitamin a is fat soluable vitamin and they take a while to elimate allowing them to build to toxic levels