The Crucial Role of Vitamin K and Natural Intake Solutions

What do you know about vitamin K? Are you considering taking a vitamin K supplement? It’s not talked about or researched as much as other vitamins, but it’s just as vital to our health. Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin crucial to proper blood clotting. As such, it helps prevent open wounds from becoming infected and prevents dangerous hemorrhaging. It’s so vital to our health, newborn infants are administered an injection of Vitamin K to prevent hemorrhagic disease.

Vitamin K also plays an important role in bone growth and repairs and may help curtail or prevent osteoporosis. This is particularly important for elderly individuals and post-menopausal women. Some individuals believe a significant intake of vitamin K may also help curtail cancer and might even promote longevity.

Ample Sources of Vitamin K

One form of vitamin K is produced in the intestines. This type is referred to as vitamin K2 and is also called menaquinone. Cultured dairy products such as yogurt can help facilitate the synthesis of vitamin K2 by bacteria in the intestinal tract. Vitamin K2 levels within the body may be jeopardized when antibiotics, aspirin and certain other medications are taken.

Vitamin K1 or phylloquinone is derived from plants. It is found in a variety of green vegetables including green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, soybeans and spinach. Peas are another good source of Vitamin K1.

Vitamin K3 or menadione is the synthetic, man-made version of vitamin K.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Deficiencies of vitamin K are rare. In most cases, deficiency results from the body’s inability to absorb Vitamin K. Those suffering from medical conditions characterized by malabsorption issues and those with chronic liver disease are susceptible to deficiency. Deficiency can also occur when antibiotics are administered orally for prolonged periods of time. Antibiotics interfere with bacteria populations responsible for the synthesis of vitamin K2 within the intestine.

Symptoms of deficiency include an increased tendency to bruise easily, frequent nosebleeds, or other instances of hemorrhaging.

Prevention at Its Best

Most individuals requiring a vitamin K supplement due to health conditions are advised to do so by their physicians. The majority of the population however can consume the full RDA of vitamin K by eating a variety of vegetables daily with particular emphasis on dark leafy greens. Vitamin K toxicity is uncommon in adults. If you are concerned about vitamin K deficiency, talk to your doctor. In many cases, the best solution is to alter your diet to increase daily intake of this vital nutrient rather than relying on a vitamin K supplement.