Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment
Which vitamin is at risk of deficiency due to fat malabsorption?
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin K
Vitamin C
The correct answer is: Vitamin K
The vitamin that is at risk of deficiency due to fat malabsorption is Vitamin K. This vitamin is a fat-soluble nutrient, meaning it requires dietary fat for proper absorption in the intestines. When there is a malabsorption issue, particularly with fats, the body's ability to absorb Vitamin K is significantly impaired. This can lead to deficiencies that may affect blood clotting processes since Vitamin K plays a crucial role in synthesizing proteins that modulate bleeding. In contrast, while vitamins A and D are also fat-soluble vitamins and can be affected by fat malabsorption, the unique role of Vitamin K in coagulation makes it more directly linked to malabsorption syndromes. Vitamin C, on the other hand, is water-soluble and does not depend on fat for absorption. Therefore, it is not at risk of deficiency due to fat malabsorption.