2 Breakfasts That Help You Absorb Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vivian Goldschmidt, MA Nutrition Supplements

Evidence-Based
6 min Read
overnight oats

Vitamins A, D, E, and K2 are essential for bone health and overall well-being. But many people don't know that to maximize these vitamins' bioavailability they must be taken with foods that contain fats. Often, people take supplements in the morning at breakfast. However, not everyone eats foods that contain fats for their first meal of the day.

This is frequently true of Savers following a pH-balanced diet rich in alkalizing foods. So today we’ll give you two delicious and easy-to-prepare breakfast recipes that incorporate healthy fats to increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Along the way, you'll learn about the fat-soluble vitamins your bones and body need for optimal health.

The Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins B and C are water-soluble, making them easy for the body to absorb since they dissolve in water, but the fat-soluble vitamins– A, D, E and K2, are more effectively absorbed along with fats (all of the above are Foundation Supplements, except for Vitamin E).

The measure of how much the body can absorb and use a certain substance is called bioavailability. It is important to consider the bioavailability of any supplement.

Studies have shown that fat-soluble vitamins are most bioavailable when taken along with a moderate amount of healthy fats. Specifically, around 15-30 grams of fat is ideal to achieve optimum bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins.1 That translates to about a tablespoon of olive oil, a third of an avocado, or an ounce of nuts.

Synopsis

Vitamins A, D, E, and K2 are all fat-soluble micronutrients. They are most bioavailable in the presence of fats- around 15-30 grams, according to studies.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a group of nutrients that includes beta-carotene, lutein, and neoxanthin. Here are some notable benefits of this vitamin:

  • Excellent for skin health2
  • Reduces fracture risk and reduces bone loss3
  • Reduces cancer risk4

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is well known for its ability to help the body absorb calcium. Here are other facts about Vitamin D:

  • The body generates Vitamin D utilizing the UV rays in sunlight
  • In combination with calcium, Vitamin D lowers cholesterol5
  • In combination with exercise, Vitamin D lowers blood sugar6
  • Vitamin D has a positive effect on mood- helping to fight depression7

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a group of eight different fat-soluble nutrients– four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Individually and collectively they are important for many biological processes.

Vitamin E protects muscle cell membranes from oxidative damage, which allows you to build and maintain muscle strength and integrity.8

The antioxidant benefits of Vitamin E also extend to other bodily systems. Gamma-tocopherol, for example, is a powerful anti-inflammatory, offering protection from inflammation-associated conditions including arthritis and cardiovascular disease.9

These benefits extend to bone health since both oxidation and inflammation damage your bones and negatively impact the bone remodeling process.

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is especially important for bone health, but it doesn't get as much fanfare as the other fat-soluble vitamins. Here are some of its valuable health benefits:

  • Helps prevent cognitive decline9
  • Prevents arteriosclerosis- which can lead to heart failure and stroke10
  • Supports oral health11
  • Keeps skin healthy and strong12
  • Increases lifespan13

Consuming a moderate amount of healthy fats along with a Vitamin K supplement ensures that its absorption. The same is true for the rest of the fat-soluble vitamins. Make sure you're eating healthy fats when you take these vitamins. A good way to get started is with the following recipes.

Avocado Overnight Oats

Half an avocado contains around 15 grams of fat. Plus, the flaxseed, almonds, and walnuts in this recipe also contain healthy fats, so this meal puts you squarely in the target zone for absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. If you find that you struggle to fit a healthy breakfast into your busy mornings, then this recipe is for you. It can be prepared the night before, so it's waiting for you in the morning. Overnight oats stay fresh for up to three days in the refrigerator, making it easy for you to plan ahead for the days to come!

pH-Balanced
1 Serving

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 Avocado
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
  • 1/3 cup plain, unsweetened yogurt
  • 2/3 cup almond milk (or any non-dairy milk)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • Stevia or monk fruit extract, to taste
  • 2 teaspoons slivered almonds or chopped walnuts

Directions:

  1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Cover and store in the refrigerator for at least three hours, preferably overnight.
  3. At the time of serving, add alkalizing fruits of your choice and top with slivered almonds or walnuts.

Carrot Cake In A Mug

pH-Balanced
1 Serving

Ever wish you could make yourself a bone-healthy carrot cake muffin, without the hassle of mixing bowls and muffin tins? This recipe is simple, easy, and provides the fats your body needs to absorb bone-building fat-soluble vitamins. One and a half tablespoons of coconut oil contains around 21 grams of fat. The egg, flours, and nuts add additional fats. This is an easy recipe to make the night before- or make a few and keep them for days to come!

Ingredients:

  • 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 2 tablespoons almond flour
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ¼ cup thinly shredded carrot
  • 1 tbsp chopped dates
  • 1 tbsp chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350F and add melted coconut oil to a large, oven-safe mug.
  2. Then add the coconut and almond flour, baking soda, and nutmeg, and mix well.
  3. Next, stir in the lemon juice, vanilla extract, egg, honey, and shredded carrot.
  4. Once everything is well combined, add the dates and chopped nuts. Please note that there should be enough space at the top since the mixture will rise.
  5. Bake in the oven for approximately 30 minutes or until a fork comes out clean. Allow to cool completely and please be careful since the mug will be hot.

Start Your Day With A Bone-Healthy Breakfast

Try these recipes to boost the bioavailability of fat-soluble Foundation Supplements. And if you'd like to try more recipes that provide your body with the nutrients it needs to support strong and healthy bones, check out Bone Appetit — the Save Institute's recipe book and meal planner.

From smoothies to desserts, Bone Appetit has delicious and easy-to-make meals for cooks of every experience level. The included 30 Day Meal Planner makes it simple to follow a pH-balanced diet and build healthy, fracture-resistant bones.

Eat Your Way to Stronger Bones!

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Discover over 200 mouth-watering bone healthy recipes for breakfast, smoothies, appetizers, soups, salads, vegetarian dishes, fish, and plenty of main courses and even desserts!

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References

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23427007
2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16679825
3 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121216132522.htm
4 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf048519s
5 https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/Citation/2014/08000/Calcium_vitamin_D_supplementation,_serum.9.aspx
6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4241902/
7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3458367/
8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25843658
9 https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/74/6/714/4737392
10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19027415
11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5585988/
12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2549810
13 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17598002
14 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24647393