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Vitamin K |
| Why Does the Body Need Vitamin K? |
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1. It is necessary for the production of prothrombin which is needed for blood clotting 2. It may improve resistance to infections 3. It is required for bone formation and repair because it promotes the formation of a protein called osteocalcin which is like a biological "glue" needed to plug calcium into the bone matrix 4. It may help prevent osteoporosis because it is needed to the proper synthesis of osteocalcin, the protein in bone tissue on which calcium crystallizes 5. It promotes healthy liver function and assists the liver in converting glucose into glycogen for storage in the liver 6. It may help prevent against cancers that target the inner linings of the internal organs including lung, prostate and liver cancers 7. It helps prevent hardening of the arteries and thus is vital to heart disease prevention 8. It may be helpful in fighting against Alzheimer's disease |
| What are some symptoms of Deficiency of Vitamin K? |
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35. Abnormal or internal bleeding 36. Hemorrhaging |
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Where do you naturally find Vitamin K (in alphabetical order)? 1. asparagus 2. beans 3. blackstrap molasses 4. broccoli 5. Brussels sprouts 6. cabbage 7. cauliflower 8. cheese 9. chicken 10. collard greens 11. egg yolks 12. kale 13. kefir (fermented raw milk) 14. lettuce 15. liver 16. milk 17. oatmeal 18. natto (fermented soy) 19. peas 20. potatoes 21. rye 22. safflower oil 23. spinach 24. tomatoes 25. watercress 26. whole wheat 27. yogurt |
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Notes and/or Cautions: There are 3 forms of Vitamin K : 1. K1 (phylloquinone or phytonadione) from plants 2. K2 (a family of substances called menaquinones) manufactured in the intestines by bacteria and found in butter, cow liver, chicken, some cheeses, egg yolks and fermented soy products 3. K3 (menadione) a man-made, synthetic substance. Pregnant women should not take large doses of synthetic vitamin K during the last few weeks of pregnancy as it can be toxic to the newborn. |
| Vitamin K can be depleted by antibiotics, since antibiotics can destroy the good bacteria in the intestines. With healthy intestinal bacteria, no supplementation is necessary. Babies who are not breast-fed may be lacking in Vitamin K. In Canada, babies are injected with Vitamin K at birth. |
| Vitamin K deficiency can be caused by a poor diet, Crohn's Disease, liver disease, statin or cholesterol lowering drugs, mineral oil, aspirin and blood thinners. |
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Recommended Dosages for Maintaining Good Health (for Adults): Vitamin K (use natural sources such as alfalfa and green leafy vegetables): 100-500 mcg |