Vitamin K - Fat-Soluble Vitamin K

Vitamin K is another member of the fat-soluble vitamin group such as Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. Vitamin K is essential and commonly known to aid in blood clotting or coagulation. It has been named “K” from a Danish researcher that first noted the relationship between the vitamin and Koagulation (Danish spelling).

The compounds known as vitamin K include K1 a plant form (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinones) found in fish oil and meats. It is also synthesized in the human intestine by bacteria.

Better Health and Vitamin K

While vitamin K is known for its contribution in blood clotting (synthesis of seven clotting factors), it has many other health benefits. Evidence suggests that vitamin K also plays an important role in the maintenance of healthy bones. Several studies have reported increased risk of developing osteoporosis when vitamin K intake is low. The vitamin plays an important role in the formation of a protein called osteocalcin that binds and helps to hold calcium in the bones. This helps in the prevention and in the treatment of osteoporosis and maintenance of good bone density.

Vitamin K also appears to play important role in cardiovascular disease. It prevents calcium plaque that accumulates in arteries and reduces the risk of heart disease and heart failure. Recent studies with human trials also suggested that vitamin K may have anticancer properties. Vitamin k is essential for in the proper development of the fetus. Birth defects that are linked directly to vitamin K deficiencies include: underdevelopment of the nose, mouth, flat nasal bridges, cupped ears and shortened fingers.
Vitamin K Deficiency

In one study was found vitamin K deficiencies to be common in most male alcoholics. It is important to note that also those children that were born with fetal alcohol syndrome to have many of the birth defects that are linked to vitamin K deficiencies. Vitamin K deficiency can occur in newborns since they lack the gastrointestinal bacteria that synthesize vitamin K and human milk is a poor source of it. Older adults may also be at risk if their dietary intake is deficient in vitamin K. Large doses of vitamin A and vitamin E can interfere with absorption of vitamin K and increase bleeding tendency.

Other conditions that have been linked to Deficiencies of vitamin K include: nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, gum bleeding and bruising. Caution should be taken with those on “Blood Thinning” drugs. Vitamin K counteracts the function of these types of drugs. Therefore, people taking them must inform and work closely with their physician if they think to change the amount of their vitamin K intake. There is evidence that supplements of 100 micrograms per day of vitamin K do not interfere with oral anticoagulant medication. But don’t try this without medical advice.

There are two forms of vitamin K in the form of dietary supplements. Both are equally effective but with vitamin K-1 (phylloquinone) most commonly available. Another form is vitamin K-2 (menaquinones). Toxicity from vitamin K is unlikely because, although fat-soluble, it is readily excreted by the body. However, the medicinal form of vitamin K, water-soluble menadione can have toxic effects including jaundice and hemolytic anemia in infants.

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