Vitamin K, most commonly known as the blood-clotting vitamin, provides more than just nutrients essential to blood clotting in the human body. Vitamin K is important to several body processes, but before discussing the processes Vitamin K assists in, It is important we understand what Vitamin K is, where we can get Vitamin K, the appropriate amounts of Vitamin K to consume each day, and the risks of nutrient toxicity or deficiency.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin vital to many body processes involving
Blood coagulation and bone health. There are three different types of Vitamin K: K1, K2, and K3. The scientific name for K1 is Phylloquinones, and the main sources for this specific branch of nutrient are plant foods, to be specific- dark green leafy vegetables (Kale, Spinach, Mustard Greens, Collard Greens, Parsley, Broccoli, etc.) The scientific name for K2 is Menaquinones, and the main sources for this specific branch of nutrients are: meats, eggs, fish, fermented plant foods, and fermented animal foods. This form of Vitamin K is composed of K1 and K3 forms of Vitamin K, by microorganisms and other forms of bacteria, or in the body by a conversion process. The scientific name for K3 is Menadiones, and this specific nutrient is not known to provide any substantial amount in natural foods.
Vitamin K deficiency although not common in adults is still possible, but is more common in infants occurs when the body can’t properly absorb the vitamin from the intestinal tract or that there is not any vitamin in the intestinal tract due to inadequate intake. The newborn child is at risk for dangerously low Vitamin K deficiencies because they are born with absolutely no Vitamin K in their gastrointestinal tract. When babies are born it is common for them to be given Vitamin K shots to supplement the body with Vitamin K that the gastrointestinal tract is not producing due to low amounts of foods supplying adequate intake of Vitamin K. Low levels in newborns can result in Hemorrhagic diseases. Adults suffering from Vitamin K deficiency can be caused by extremely low dietary intake, but it is most common to see symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency involve the use of medications that lessen the ability of Vitamin K to make blood-clotting proteins. This usually happens when someone is on a medication that deliberately blocks the ability of Vitamin K to work properly. Medications like this can be used if deemed medically necessary, such as the use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, but it is important to be conscious of what foods you eat on these types of medication, because they can lessen the effectiveness of the medication and cause more problems. Currently, there has not been a report, or any evidence to support that there is an UL Intake level that would cause dietary toxicity by a dose of Vitamin K. Given the deeming low health risk of consuming too much Vitamin K, the National Academy of Sciences did not establish a Tolerable Upper Intake Level of Vitamin K. The only people that do not need to consume Vitamin K in excess are the ones previously discussed which take medication to regulate the activity of Vitamin K in the body. Adequate intake levels for vitamin K depend strictly to age. The Recommended Dietary Allowance for the The average female, 19 or years older is recommended to consume 90 mcg of Vitamin K, whereas the average male 19 years or older is recommended to consume 120 mcg of Vitamin K daily.
Vitamin K assists in several processes in the human body, including blood clotting, and bone health. Many open-ended questions resituate from Vitamin K related to clotting. The synthesis of certain proteins to assist in blood-coagulation
Vitamin K is
