What you need to know about Vitamin K


What you need to know about Vitamin K

Photo: Shutterstock

Photo: Shutterstock

Photo: Shutterstock

Vitamin K is a nutrient needed primarily for blood clotting. Without this organic compound, blood simply would not clot and excessive, uncontrolled bleeding would occur. Usually adults aren’t deficient in this vitamin and therefore it isn’t often prescribed as a dietary supplement. A deficiency in vitamin K is, however, common in newborns, who are given an injection of it after birth.

Vitamin K may also help in bone strength, especially among older people. The scientific consensus on this is still developing.

Vitamin K actually consists of a group of compounds, of which Vitamin K1 and K2 are the most important. There are many foods that can meet your daily requirement of vitamin K. Leafy greens are the best source of vitamin K1 in your diet. Other vegetable rich in vitamin K1 include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. The vitamin is also found in cereals in smaller quantities.

Fish, liver, eggs and meat in general are sources of Vitamin K2 sources. Vitamin K2 is also made in the human body, though not by the body itself. It is produced by the bacteria that line the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, prolonged antibiotics treatment could kill off the beneficial bacteria and lead to a Vitamin K deficiency.

Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin, along with Vitamins A, D and E. It is absorbed better when there is also some fat in the food you eat. Usually a person doesn’t need to take any additional steps or add fat in order to absorb Vitamin K, but someone who is following a completely fat-free diet may need to watch out for Vitamin K deficiency. The human body also stores fat soluble vitamins in fatty tissues in the liver and uses it when needed, so you don’t have to eat Vitamin K every day. However, taking too much Vitamin K (from supplements, for example) over time can cause a buildup and lead to problems.

A vitamin K deficiency presents itself when the vitamin cannot be adequately absorbed from the intestinal tract. Symptoms include:

  • easy bruising (red or dark discoloration of the skin) from minor impact
  • oozing of blood from the nose or gums
  • excessive bleeding from cuts and scrapes
  • heavy menstrual bleeding
  • blood in stool or urine

If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult a doctor. Vitamin K deficiency is confirmed in a laboratory by taking a blood sample and testing how well it clots.

Those on certain medications may need to cut down on vitamin K-rich foods. For instance, patients on blood thinning drugs need to understand how foods containing vitamin K can interfere with how the medications work. Your vitamin intake is also dependent on various other factors including your age, gender and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is important to ask your doctor to recommend an ideal quota according to your specific needs.

According to the US government’s Institute of Medicine, for those free of illness and medical complications an adequate intake for vitamin K is as follows:

<Recommended amount

Age
0 – 6 months 2.0 micrograms per day (mcg/day)
7 – 12 months 2.5 mcg/day
1 – 3 years 30 mcg/day
4 – 8 years 55 mcg/day
9 – 13 years 60 mcg/day
14 – 18 years 75 mcg/day
19 and older 90 mcg/day

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