The relationships of high-fat diet and metabolism of lipophilic vitamins

Obesity has become a worldwide problem. One dietary style contributing to this epidemic is the Western diet or high-fat diet (HFD), which is marked by its high-fat content. The effects of HFD on the development of chronic metabolic diseases, such as obesity, have been observed in both human and animal studies. Consumption of HFD generally causes increase of body fat mass with development of symptoms of metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. Micronutrients are essential for the general health of an individual. Their needs are satisfied by dietary intake. Digestion, absorption and transport of dietary lipophilic vitamins share similar pathways as that of dietary fats. It is still unclear how amounts and compositions of dietary fats affect digestion, absorption and function of lipophilic vitamins and vice versa. A better understanding of the impacts of HFD on homeostasis and functions of lipophilic vitamins may shed light on the development mechanisms of obesity and other metabolic diseases. This review aims to investigate the impact of high-fat feeding on functions of lipophilic vitamins. Research included in this review ranges in publication year 1995 to 2014. It seems that the link between fat metabolism and lipophilic vitamin metabolism has started to be recognized. Additional research projects are warranted.