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Why must most water-soluble vitamins be consumed regularly?
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vitamin
Vitamin E in gel-cap form.
Most water-soluble vitamins must be consumed regularly because they are not appreciably stored in the body, with the notable exception of vitamin B12.1
Because these compounds are soluble in polar solvents, any excess amounts consumed are typically excreted in the urine rather than being retained in tissues. While the body has a limited capacity to store these vitamins when intake exceeds minimal requirements, this capacity is quickly reached, leading to a sharp increase in the rate of excretion. Consequently, consistent dietary intake is necessary to maintain the levels required for normal metabolic and physiologic processes.12