Vitamin K
DEFINITION
Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that is required in very
small amounts from the diet and is important for blood
clotting.
small amounts from the diet and is important for blood
clotting.
DESCRIPTION
Vitamin K is essential for creating the proteins that help the
blood to clot. It is also very important for increasing the mineral
content in the bones (which increases bone strength) as well as for
the creation of new cells in the body. There are different,
naturally occurring sub-types of Vitamin K: Vitamin K1, which is
found in plants and Vitamin K2, which is made by bacteria in the
gut. Small amounts of this bacterial form of Vitamin K are absorbed
into the body and when a person is taking antibiotic medications,
these bacteria are killed and the risk of Vitamin K deficiency
increases. Very little Vitamin K is stored by the body; small
amounts of this vitamin are deposited in the liver and in the
bones, but this amount is only enough to supply the body’s needs
for a few days. In many countries, newborn babies are routinely
given Vitamin K injections because they are at risk of brain
haemorrhages (bleeding) during the first few months of life. These
injections are necessary because babies generally do not get a
large amount of Vitamin K from the diet, as human breast milk
contains only small amounts of this vitamin. Overdoses of Vitamin K
cause flushing, shortness of breath, chest pains, heart failure and
even death.
blood to clot. It is also very important for increasing the mineral
content in the bones (which increases bone strength) as well as for
the creation of new cells in the body. There are different,
naturally occurring sub-types of Vitamin K: Vitamin K1, which is
found in plants and Vitamin K2, which is made by bacteria in the
gut. Small amounts of this bacterial form of Vitamin K are absorbed
into the body and when a person is taking antibiotic medications,
these bacteria are killed and the risk of Vitamin K deficiency
increases. Very little Vitamin K is stored by the body; small
amounts of this vitamin are deposited in the liver and in the
bones, but this amount is only enough to supply the body’s needs
for a few days. In many countries, newborn babies are routinely
given Vitamin K injections because they are at risk of brain
haemorrhages (bleeding) during the first few months of life. These
injections are necessary because babies generally do not get a
large amount of Vitamin K from the diet, as human breast milk
contains only small amounts of this vitamin. Overdoses of Vitamin K
cause flushing, shortness of breath, chest pains, heart failure and
even death.
MEDICAL USE
Always consult your Health Professional to advise you on
dosages and any possible medical interactions. Vitamin K may be
recommended for the following conditions:
dosages and any possible medical interactions. Vitamin K may be
recommended for the following conditions:
- Excessive bleeding caused by deficiency of this vitamin.
- Prevention of bleeding in newborn babies.
- Gastrointestinal problems that decrease the absorption of
Vitamin K, such as obstructions in the bile duct, cystic fibrosis,
sprue, Crohn’s disease, colitis and medications that reduce the
absorption of this vitamin, such as antibiotics.
DEFICIENCY
A deficiency of Vitamin K can cause easy bruising, increased
bleeding times (due to poor blood clotting) and an increased
tendency to bleed. Inadequate dietary Vitamin K can also increase
the progression of diseases like osteoporosis and
atherosclerosis.
bleeding times (due to poor blood clotting) and an increased
tendency to bleed. Inadequate dietary Vitamin K can also increase
the progression of diseases like osteoporosis and
atherosclerosis.
SOURCES
Rich sources of Vitamin K include broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach and soybeans. Other sources of
Vitamin K include lettuce, pork, liver, egg yolk, safflower oil,
alfalfa, blackstrap molasses, yoghurt, canola oil, olive oil and
soybean oil. Small amounts of fat are required for the absorption
of Vitamin K from food.
cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach and soybeans. Other sources of
Vitamin K include lettuce, pork, liver, egg yolk, safflower oil,
alfalfa, blackstrap molasses, yoghurt, canola oil, olive oil and
soybean oil. Small amounts of fat are required for the absorption
of Vitamin K from food.
DOSAGE
The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for Vitamin K is 80 mg
per day for adult males and 65 mg per day for adult females. See
your health care professional for advice about the correct dosage
for you.
per day for adult males and 65 mg per day for adult females. See
your health care professional for advice about the correct dosage
for you.