Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means it can be stored within the fatty tissue of the body. However, the Linus Pauling Institute reports that while vitamin K can be stored, the body does not store very much of it, so it must be replenished with regular dietary intake. When you look at the varied duties and benefits of vitamin K, you will see why it's important to make sure you are including it in your diet.
Primary Function
The best-known function of vitamin K is the role that it plays in blood clotting. A report on vitamin K from the University of Florida states that if there is not enough vitamin K within the body, the blood cannot clot properly. If this happens, a person could lose blood from both internal and external injuries, eventually resulting in death.
Dietary Sources
Vitamin K is available from many food sources. The primary sources are leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale, cabbage, cauliflower and soybeans. Fruits include blueberries, blackberries, kiwi and red grapes. Vitamin K is also available as a dietary supplement. The USDA recommends a dietary intake of 90 mcg daily for women and 120 mcg daily for men.
Produced in the Body
While vitamin K is available from several food sources, a report from Colorado State University states that the majority of vitamin K within the body is produced by bacteria that are in the intestines. This type of vitamin K is also known as vitamin K2 or menaquinones.
Recycled
Vitamin K supplies within the body can be exhausted quickly. In response to that, the body can recycle vitamin K (referred to as "the vitamin K cycle"). In this cycle, a small amount of vitamin K repeats its job in the changing of protein acids into glutamic acid, which can play a role in cardiovascular and brain function.
Deficiency
The National Institutes of Health states that a deficiency of vitamin K is uncommon, but it can occur if someone has been on antibiotics, which may have destroyed the good bacteria in the intestines, or if there are other factors that prevent the absorption of vitamin K. Signs of vitamin K deficiency usually involve nosebleeds, blood in the urine or stools, heavy menstrual periods and the tendency to bruise easily.
Member Comments