Because the bacteria in your intestine produce a certain amount of vitamin K and the nutrient occurs naturally in many foods, you are not likely to have a vitamin K deficiency. Your body stores small amounts of this fat-soluble vitamin, which plays roles in blood clotting and bone formation, in your tissues. If you eat daily servings of dark green leafy vegetables, olive or soybean oil or green tea, you should be able to meet the adequate intake of 90 mcg for women over age 19 and 120 mcg for men over 19.
Causes
Liver disease, conditions that interfere with your digestion of fats, severe burns and hemodialysis may cause a vitamin K deficiency. If you restrict your intake of vitamin K-rich foods because you're taking warfarin or another blood-thinning medication, you may not be getting enough vitamin K. Antibiotic usage may cause a minor vitamin K deficiency by temporarily destroying bacteria that synthesize this vitamin. Certain weight-loss medications and cholesterol-lowering medications may interfere with your absorption of vitamin K and other fat-soluble vitamins.
Bleeding
Because vitamin K activates a chain of chemical reactions that causes blood to clot, a lack of vitamin K in your body may lead to abnormal bleeding. You may have a bloody nose, bleeding gums, or blood in your stool or urine if you have a vitamin K deficiency. You may also have abnormal results on laboratory tests that measure how long it takes for your blood to clot.
Bruising
Your may notice increased bruising on your skin if you have a vitamin K deficiency. If you tend to bruise easily and you are not taking blood-thinning medication, increasing your intake of foods that are high in vitamin K may make your skin more resilient. One cup of raw kale, a dark green cruciferous vegetable, provides 547 mcg vitamin K. One cup of Swiss chard provides 299 mcg, and one cup of chopped broccoli provides 220 mcg. Soybean oil, olive oil, canola oil, mayonnaise, beef liver and green tea are good sources of vitamin K.
Bone Loss
Vitamin K contributes to bone formation by enabling calcium to bind to bone. A deficiency of vitamin K has been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. A diet that includes regular servings of dark green leafy vegetables may protect bone health, especially in postmenopausal women.
Precautions
If you are taking a blood-thinning medication, follow your health-care provider's instructions regarding the amount of vitamin K you should include in your diet. Vitamin K interferes with blood thinners by shortening clotting time.
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