Vitamin K - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Vitamin K is a generic term for a group of substances which contain the 2-methyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone ring structure and which possess hemostatic activity.

Vitamin K is found in nature in two forms - K1, also called phylloquinone which is found in plants and vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, which can be synthesized by many bacteria. Vitamin K3, menadione, is a synthetic form of this vitamin which is manmade.

Functions and benefits of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is used in the body to control blood clotting and is essential for synthesizing the liver protein that controls the clotting. It is involved in creating the important prothrombin, which is the precursor to thrombin - a very important factor in blood clotting.

Recommended Dosage for Vitamin K

Males 80 micrograms per day and females 70 micrograms per day.

Food sources of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is found in cabbage, cauliflower, spinach and other green leafy vegetables,and in others vegetables, also it is found in cereals, soybeans. Vitamin K is also made by the bacteria that line the gastrointestinal tract.

Deficiency Symptoms of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is known to be needed to coagulate blood and to maintain proper bone density. It plays a key role in proper development of the fetus. Deficiencies of vitamin K have been linked to:

• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Hematuria (blood in the urine)
• Nosebleeds
• Eye hemorrhages
• Anemia
• Gum bleeding
• Prolonged clotting times
• Hematomas
• Hemorrhaging
• Ovarian Hemorrhaging
• Easy bruising
• Purpura