Vitamin K Health Benefits - Vitamin K Sources, Functions & Deficiency

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for the uninterrupted functioning of the human body as well as the maintenance of its overall health. The fat-soluble vitamin is beneficial for almost all body parts. It is naturally produced by the bacteria living in intestines and is stored in the liver. Vitamin K plays a key role in normal clotting of the blood and helps promote bone health. Found in a variety food items, it has many advantageous effects on the skin as well. Deficiency of vitamin K may result in chronic diseases, which makes it an important addition in your diet. Go through the article to know all about Vitamin K, its benefits, sources, functions and deficiency.

Health Benefits

Vitamin K prevents severe blood loss due to injury, by slowing and stopping the bleeding.
It assists the absorption of an essential mineral - calcium.
It helps prevent the loss of bone density and helps treat osteoporosis.
It prevents the hardening of arteries, thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases.
It has preventive and treatment benefits for cancer.
It is beneficial for women who experience excessive menstrual bleeding.
It prevents the risk of hemorrhagic disease in newborns.
Recent studies show that vitamin K is effective in treating dark circles under the eyes and bruising on the face.

Recommended Daily Intake

Age Group	Male (mcg/day)	Female (mcg/day)
0-6 months	2.0	2.0
7-12 months	2.5	2.5
1-3 years	30	30
4-8 years	55	55
9-13 years	60	60
14-18 years	75	75
19 years & above	120	90

Sources

Spinach
Brussels Sprouts
Green tea
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Broccoli
Turnip Greens
Cereals
Wheat Bran
Soya Beans
String Beans
Yoghurt
Alfalfa
Tomatoes
String Beans
Lean Meat
Eggs
Lettuce

Functions

Makes the protein that is need for the clotting of blood
Helps keep the calcium stay out of the arteries
Synthesizes proteins found in plasma, bone and kidneys
Essential for conversion of amino acid glutamate into gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (GCA)
Helps the calcium to get into bones
Involved in carboxylation of osteocalcin (OC), in order to bind calcium

Deficiency

The deficiency of Vitamin K can manifest itself in the form of following symptoms:

Excessive bleeding of wounds
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Heavy menstruation bleeding
Gum bleeding
Ovarian Hemorrhaging
Eye hemorrhages
Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
Prolonged clotting
Tinted urine
Blood in the urine
Easy bruising
Hypercalciuria
Calcification of soft tissue, especially heart valves
Easy fractures

How to Cite

Vitamin K Benefits

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