Mineral oil interferes with absorption of which vitamins?

Mineral oil interferes with absorption of which vitamins?

• A. Water-soluble vitamins.
• B. Fat-soluble vitamins.
• C. Vitamin C only.
• D. Minerals.

Answer: (B)

Mineral oil affects absorption of fat-soluble vitamins because these vitamins (A, D, E, and K) need fat digestion and micelle formation to be absorbed. The mineral oil coats the intestinal lining and interferes with emulsification, reducing contact between fats and the intestinal mucosa, so these vitamins aren’t absorbed as efficiently. Water-soluble vitamins (like B and C) don’t depend on fat emulsification to the same extent, so they’re less affected. Vitamin C is specifically water-soluble, and minerals are inorganic nutrients, not vitamins, so they aren’t the ones primarily impacted. Hence, fat-soluble vitamins are the ones whose absorption is most interfered with.

Mineral oil affects absorption of fat-soluble vitamins because these vitamins (A, D, E, and K) need fat digestion and micelle formation to be absorbed. The mineral oil coats the intestinal lining and interferes with emulsification, reducing contact between fats and the intestinal mucosa, so these vitamins aren’t absorbed as efficiently. Water-soluble vitamins (like B and C) don’t depend on fat emulsification to the same extent, so they’re less affected. Vitamin C is specifically water-soluble, and minerals are inorganic nutrients, not vitamins, so they aren’t the ones primarily impacted. Hence, fat-soluble vitamins are the ones whose absorption is most interfered with.