Alisha is starting a diet that severely limits her intake of fat-soluble vitamins. Which of the following is most likely to happen.

• A. She will start getting symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies within a few days of starting the diet.
• B. She won't get symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies until at least a few weeks after starting the diet.
• C. She will never have any fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies, as her body can produce & store enough.
• D. None of the above.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of fat-soluble vitamins: Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are stored in the liver and fatty tissues of the body. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, they are not excreted quickly and can be stored for longer periods.
2. Analyze the timeline for deficiency symptoms: Since fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body, it typically takes weeks or even months of inadequate intake before deficiency symptoms appear. This is because the body can draw on its stored reserves.
3. Evaluate the body's ability to produce fat-soluble vitamins: The body cannot produce most fat-soluble vitamins on its own (except for vitamin D, which can be synthesized with sunlight exposure). Therefore, a diet severely limiting these vitamins can eventually lead to deficiencies.
4. Eliminate incorrect options: The first option is incorrect because symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies do not appear within a few days due to the body's storage capacity. The third option is also incorrect because the body cannot produce and store enough indefinitely without dietary intake.
5. Select the correct answer: Based on the understanding of fat-soluble vitamin storage and deficiency timelines, the correct answer is that symptoms of fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies will not appear until at least a few weeks after starting the diet.