Vitamins serve crucial functions in almost all bodily fuctions (immune, hormonal and nervous systems) and must be obtained from food or SUPPLEMENTS as our bodies are unable to make vitamins. 

Fat-soluble VITAMINS are absorbed, together with fat from the intestine, into the circulation. Any disease or disorder that affects the absorption of fat, such as coeliac disease, could lead to a deficiency of these vitamins. Once absorbed into the circulation these vitamins are carried to the liver where they are stored.

Vitamins A, D, E and K make up the fat soluble vitamins and they are stored in the liver and vitamin E is distributed throughout the body's fatty tissues.

Water-soluble vitamins, such as Vitamin C and the B vitamins are stored in the body for only a brief period of time and are then excreted by the kidneys. The one exception to this is vitamin B12, which is stored in the liver. Water-soluble vitamins need to be obtained daily.