Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that helps the blood clot. It has also been shown to play a role in bone health, according to the National Institutes of Health. Vitamin K can be found in a variety of vegetables including spinach, asparagus, and soybeans. Adults can easily meet their daily vitamin K intake needs by eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Vitamin K in the body
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting. It helps to make proteins that work to clot the blood. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that vitamin K may also play an important role in bone health. An adequate intake of vitamin K is needed to help the body use calcium. Lower levels of vitamin K intake is associated with low bone mineral density, osteoporosis and increased risk of bone fractures.
Sources
Bacteria in the intestines work to make vitamin K. Because it is not yet known how much vitamin K these bacteria produce, it is important to consume adequate amounts of vitamin K containing foods each day. Foods rich in vitamin K include spinach and other dark leafy green vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, soybeans and organ meats such as beef liver.
Recommended intake
The National Institutes of Health recommend that adults over the age of 19 consume 90 mcg of vitamin K each day. While vitamin K is available in supplement form, it is recognized that the best way to meet daily vitamin K needs is through the intake of a healthy and balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Interactions
Certain medications can reduce the absorption of vitamin K in the body which may lead to vitamin K deficiency. Antibiotics can destroy the good, vitamin K producing bacteria in the intestines. Your doctor may recommend a vitamin K supplement during long term antibiotic use. Vitamin K may also decrease the effectiveness of certain medications. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, blood thinners such as warfarin, weight loss medications such as orlistat and bile acid sequestrants used to help with high cholesterol levels, may not work as well when combined with high levels of vitamin K.
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