The "K" in vitamin K comes from the German word "koagulation." Coagulation is the process of blood clot formation, in which vitamin K plays a role. Vitamin K is also necessary for proper use of calcium in the bones. It is present in leafy greens and other vegetables; the bacteria in your intestines also produce this vitamin.
K in Carrots
A small carrot about 5 ½ inches in length, weighing around 50 g has 6.6 micrograms of vitamin K. A medium carrot contains 8.1 micrograms of vitamin K, while a large carrot 7 ¼ to 8 ½ inches in length contains 9.5 micrograms of vitamin K.
Daily Intake
Recommended dietary intake of vitamin K differs depending on your age, sex, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Infants from birth to age 6 months need 2 micrograms daily and 2.5 micrograms from ages 7 months to 12 months. Children ages 1 to 3 need 30 micrograms; those ages 4 to 8 need 55 micrograms and from the ages 9 to 13, children should consume 60 micrograms of vitamin K a day. Male and female teens, ages 14 to 18, whether pregnant or breastfeeding, need 75 micrograms daily. Male adults, 19 years of age and older, need 120 micrograms of vitamin K daily. Females of the same age need only 90 micrograms daily, even if they are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Fulfilling Intake
Vitamin K deficiency is rare, as it is present in many foods and your body produces it. However, if you are looking to boost your vitamin K intake, you may want to focus on eating more leafy greens rather than more carrots. At just 8.1 micrograms of vitamin K in a medium sized carrot, to meet your dietary intake recommendations solely from carrots, men would need to eat almost 15 carrots daily, while women would need to get through 11. Green leafy vegetables, however, are a larger source of vitamin K. For instance, 1 cup of cooked broccoli has 220 micrograms, while 1 cup of raw spinach contains 145 micrograms. 1 cup of raw kale has a whopping 547 micrograms, while 2 cups of raw leaf lettuce will provide you with 125 mcg.
Considerations
It is important to talk to your doctor before increasing your vitamin K intake, as vitamin K can interact with a variety of prescription medications, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Cephalosporin antibiotics can reduce how much vitamin K your body absorbs, while anticonvulsants, such as Dilantin, may interfere with your body's ability to use vitamin K. Vitamin K can also render warfarin, a common blood thinning medication, ineffective.
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