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Vitamin Guide > Vitamins > Vitamin K
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Vitamin K |
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Vitamin K Definition |
Vitamin K (The K is derived from the German word koagulation) is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes blood clotting and prevents hemorrhaging.
It also exists in two other natural forms called Vitamin K1 (which is synthesized by plants) and Vitamin K2 (which is mainly synthesized by intestinal bacteria).
Vitamin K is also involved in formation and repair of the bones.
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Vitamin K Benefits |
Vitamin K helps in following ways:
- Aids in blood clotting. It initiates the process of healing by slowing and stopping the bleeding. As a result, patients are often administered with Vitamin K to prevent excessive bleeding.
- Helps the body absorb the beneficial mineral calcium and can help prevent or treat osteoporosis and the loss of bone density. Vitamin K is essential for the normal formation of a protein in bones called osteocalcin. This protein binds to calcium and helps to hold the calcium in the bones.
- Helps in preventing hardening of the arteries.
- Recent studies have shown that it has anti-cancer effects.
- It has also been seen to help prevent cardiovascular disease.
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Sources of Vitamin K |
Vitamin K is found in highest concentration in fermented foods. It is a must to include a traditionally fermented food in your daily diet.
It is also found in good amounts in green leafy vegetables, Asparagus, Olive Oil, tomatoes, egg yolk, Soybean oil, and Canola oil, Broccoli, Parsley and Lentils.
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Lack of Vitamin K |
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Excessive bleeding is indicative of Vitamin K deficiency. Symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency include easy bruising and nose bleeding, bleeding of the gums, blood in urine and stools, tarry black stools or extremely heavy menstrual bleeding. In infants, vitamin K deficiency may result in life-threatening bleeding within the skull
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Excess of Vitamin K |
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Fortunately, vitamin K has low toxicity.
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Precautions |
If there’s a family history of osteoporosis or heart disease, it is strongly recommended to add Vitamin K to your diet.
Those who have already had a stroke or a cardiac arrest or prone to blood clotting; should not take Vitamin K without doctors’ consent.
Pregnant and nursing mothers are to take monitored supplements of Vitamin K.
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