1) The most important function of vitamin K is blood clotting.
2) Vitamin K does not clot blood by itself, but sets the mechanism in motion that helps us to stop bleeding and allows the healing process to begin.
3) Prior to surgery, vitamin K is often prescribed to inhibit bleeding.
4) Vitamin K can be used with the goal of reducing the rate of menstrual flow.
5) Vitamin K helps the body to absorb calcium.
6) Research in recent years has indicated that vitamin K may help to strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis.
7) An increase in bruising and bleeding may indicate a vitamin K deficiency.
8) Vitamin K is fat-soluble.
9) People taking blood thinners, such as warfarin, need to be cautious about their vitamin K intake.
10) Vitamin K deficiency occurs rarely.
Vitamin K deficiency does not manifest often, but when it does the consequences can be severe. Without vitamin K, blood cannot clot, which can be bad news indeed, especially if medical care is not readily available. Since the human body produces vitamin K in the intestinal tract, it is here that the factors leading to a shortage of vitamin K are most often to be found. A very small percentage of people have difficult absorbing vitamin K from the intestinal tract. There are also occasions, also rare, where antibiotics that have been taken for a long period of time interfere with the body’s ability to produce Vitamin K. In these case supplementation, under a physician’s supervision, is important.
The recommended daily intake of vitamin K is 80 micrograms for men and 70 micrograms for women. In order for vitamin K to be absorbed, dietary fat must be present. Good sources of vitamin K are leafy vegetables, cheese, liver, green tea, bacon, asparagus, and even coffee.
Copyright © Dennis Becker, 2004.
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