Vitamin K refers to a group of fat-soluble vitamins that play a role in blood clotting, bone metabolism, and regulating blood calcium levels. It aids in the coagulation of blood and the prevention of excessive bleeding. Vitamin K, unlike many other vitamins, is not a dietary supplement. It is made up of many different molecules. Vitamins K1 and K2 appear to be the most important of these compounds. Vitamin K1 present in leafy greens and other foods.
Vitamin K2 is a collection of bacteria-produced chemicals that may be found in meats, cheeses, and eggs. Some patients have turned to vitamin K2 to treat osteoporosis and steroid-induced bone loss in recent years, although the evidence is mixed. There is not enough evidence to prescribe vitamin K2 for osteoporosis at this time. It is found throughout the body including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bone. It is broken down very quickly and excreted in urine or stool. Because of this, it rarely reaches toxic levels in the body even with high intakes, as may sometimes occur with other fat-soluble vitamins.
Why do people take vitamin K?
Vitamin K deficiency might increase the risk of uncontrolled bleeding. Its deficiency is uncommon in adults, but it is highly prevalent in newborn babies. For babies, a single vitamin K injection is usual. It is also used to treat an overdose of Coumadin, a blood thinner. While the deficiency is rare, you may be at risk if you:
- Have a digestive tract condition that inhibits absorption, such as Crohn’s disease or active celiac disease
- Take drugs that interfere with vitamin K absorption
- Drink alcohol heavily
- In these cases, a health care provider might suggest its supplements.
Uses of vitamin K for cancer, for the symptoms of morning sickness, for the removal of spider veins, and other conditions are unproven. Learn more about vitamins k2 and d3 as well as which foods pack the highest amount.
How much should you take?
The recommended daily consumption of Phytonadione from food and other sources is listed below. The majority of individuals consume adequate amounts through their foods.
- Children 0-6 months — 2 micrograms/day
- 7-12 months — 2.5 micrograms/day
- 1-3 years — 30 micrograms/day
- 4-8 years — 55 micrograms/day
- 9-13 years — 60 micrograms/day
- Girls 14-18 years — 75 micrograms/day
- Women 19 years and up — 90 micrograms/day
- Pregnant or breastfeeding — 90 micrograms/day
- Boys 14-18 years — 75 micrograms/day
- Men 19 years and up — 120 micrograms/day
With the quantities present in food and supplements, there are no negative effects. This does not, however, rule out the possibility of harm from a large dosage. Researchers yet to discover a maximum safe dose.
Can you get it naturally from foods?
Good natural food sources include:
- Legumes like soybeans
- Vegetables like spinach, asparagus, and broccoli
You can also meet your daily requirement with foods that have lesser amounts:
- Strawberries
- Meat like liver
- Eggs
Uses
Phylloquinone, also known as vitamin K1, present in plants. When people eat it, bacteria in the large intestine convert it to its storage form, vitamin K2. It is absorbed in the small intestine and stored in fatty tissue and the liver.
Without vitamin K, the body cannot produce prothrombin, a clotting factor that is necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism.
It is most likely to affect newborns and those with a malabsorption problem, due, for example, to the short-bowel syndrome, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, or ulcerative colitis.
Newborns normally receive a vitamin K injection to protect them from bleeding in the skull, which could be fatal.
The recommended adequate intake for vitamin K depends on age and gender. Women aged 19 years and over should consume 90 micrograms (mcg) a day, and men should have 120 mcg.
Benefits
Vitamin K benefits the body in various ways.
Bone health
There appears to be a correlation between low intake of vitamin K and osteoporosis.
Several studies have suggested that vitamin K supports the maintenance of strong bones, improves bone density, and decreases the risk of fractures. However, research has not confirmed this.
Cognitive health
Increased blood levels of vitamin K have been linked with improved episodic memory in older adults.
In one study, healthy individuals over the age of 70 years with the highest blood levels of vitamin K1 had the highest verbal episodic memory performance.
Heart health
Vitamin K may help keep blood pressure lower by preventing mineralization, where minerals build up in the arteries. This enables the heart to pump blood freely through the body.
Mineralization naturally occurs with age, and it is a major risk factor for heart disease. Adequate intake of it lowers the risk of stroke.
What are the risks of Phytonadione intake?
Oral vitamin K has few side effects when taken at prescribed levels.
Risks:
If your doctor advises you to take Phytonadione supplements, do so. People on Coumadin for heart difficulties, clotting disorders, or other diseases may need to keep a close eye on their meals to keep their levels in check. They should only use vitamin K supplements if their health care professional recommends them.
Interactions:
Vitamin K’s effects restrict a variety of medications. Antacids, blood thinners, antibiotics, aspirin, and medications for cancer, seizures, high cholesterol, and other ailments are among them.
Signs of Deficiency
Vitamin K deficiency in adults is rare but may occur in people taking medications that block its metabolism such as antibiotics, or in those with conditions that cause malabsorption of food and nutrients. A deficiency is also possible in newborn infants because vitamin K does not cross the placenta, and breast milk contains a low amount. The limited amount of blood clotting proteins at birth increases the risk of bleeding in infants if they are lack of vitamin K supplements. The following are the most common signs of a deficiency.
- A longer time for blood to clot or a prolonged prothrombin time (as measured in a physician’s office)
- Bleeding
- Hemorrhaging
- Osteopenia or osteoporosis
By this article, you get a complete idea about Vitamin K and its uses and supplement details. To get the supplements to your doorstep through Online Indian Pharmacy and also get vitamin K tablets if you have any deficiency and get online medicine discount.
