Which type of vitamins are absorbed by the intestinal mucosa as part of the chylomicron complex?

Fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed by the intestinal mucosa as part of the chylomicron complex due to their solubility in lipids. The absorption process for these vitamins—such as vitamins A, D, E, and K—occurs in conjunction with dietary fats. When food is ingested, bile emulsifies fats, making them more accessible for absorption. The resulting micelles, which contain both fat and fat-soluble vitamins, facilitate the transfer of these vitamins across the intestinal lining.

Once inside the intestinal cells, fat-soluble vitamins combine with proteins and lipids to form chylomicrons, which are large lipoprotein particles responsible for transporting dietary lipids and vitamins through the lymphatic system into the bloodstream. This mechanism contrasts with water-soluble vitamins, which are absorbed directly into the bloodstream without the need for chylomicron formation.