Vitamin K - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K is found in nature in two forms i.e. K1 and K2 . K1 is also called phylloquinone is found in plants and vitamin K2 is also called menaquinone, which can be synthesized by many bacteria. Vitamin K cannot be made by our bodies, but not all vitamin K needs to be obtained from food, because bacteria in our gut can make it.

Functions and Benefits of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a necessary in synthesis of several proteins that mediate both coagulation and anticoagulation. When someone is vitamin K deficient, their blood does not clot normally when they are cut and it is difficult to stop the bleeding. When the body is injured, vitamin K initiates the process of healing by slowing and stopping the bleeding. For this reason, vitamin K is often given to patients before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. Vitamin K also prevents the hardening of the arteries. Vitamin K supplements may improve bone mass in postmenopausal women. Vitamin K prevents calcification of arteries and other soft tissue. Vitamin K may play a role in the regulation of blood sugar.

A number of vitamin K functions to regulation level of thrombinogen in blood, maintenance tone of cardiac muscle, monitoring of durability and permeability of blood vessels and capillaries, maintenance of blood circulation in peripheral bodies and tissues.

Recommended Dosage for Vitamin K

Infants from 0 to 1 year have to take 10 mg per day. Children 1 to 3 years have to take 15 mg per day. Children 4 to 6 years have to take 20mg per day Children 7 to 10 years have to take 30mg per day.   Males 11 through 14 yrs have to take 45mg per day. Males 15 through 18 yrs have to take 65mg per day. Males 19 through 24 yrs have to take 70mg per day. Males 25 through 50 yrs have to take 80mg per day. Males 51 to elder's yrs have to take 80mg per day. Females 11 to 14years have to take 45mg per day. Females 15 to 18years have to take 55mg per day. Females 19 to 24years have to take 60mg per day. Females 25 to 50years have to take 65mg per day. 51 years and older females have to take 65mg per day.   Pregnant women have to take 65mg per day.

Food Sources of Vitamin K

Foods that contain a significant amount of vitamin K include beef liver, green tea, turnip greens, broccoli, kale, spinach, cabbage, asparagus, and dark green lettuce.  Chlorophyll, which is water soluble, is the substance in plants that gives them their green color and provides vitamin K.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin K

Vitamin K deficiency is very rare and occurs when there is an inability to absorb the vitamin from the intestinal tract. Vitamin K deficiency can occur after prolonged treatment with oral antibiotics. People at risk for developing vitamin K deficiency include those with chronic malnutrition, or conditions which limit absorption of dietary vitamins such as biliary obstruction, celiac disease or sprue, ulcerative colitis, regional enteritis.