Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for the function of several proteins involved in blood clotting. There are proteins in the bones that are also dependent on vitamin K. Vitamin K deficiencies are rare. However, malabsorption of fats, liver disease, and continued hemodialysis may lead to low levels of vitamin K.
Signs of Deficiency
Vitamin K deficiency can cause impaired blood clotting. Signs and symptoms include bleeding gums, nosebleeds, easy bruising, blood in urine or stool, black stools and extremely heavy menstrual bleeding in women.
Hemorrhage
Excessive bleeding, or hemorrhage, is the most common problem caused by deficient levels of vitamin K. Blood coagulation, or clotting, requires vitamin K. Hemorrhagic disease in newborns is one cause of higher infant morbidity and mortality in underdeveloped nations. Newborns are prone to vitamin K deficiency because the placenta transmits lipids and vitamin K poorly, breast milk is relatively low in vitamin K, and the infant gut is sterile and does not contain the bacteria that make vitamin K in the body.
Osteoporosis
Vitamin K is involved in the use of calcium to keep bones strong. Low levels of vitamin K have been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports on possible bone enhancing benefits of vitamin K supplementation for male and female athletes.
Sources of Vitamin K
Food sources of vitamin K include green leafy vegetables like cabbage, Swiss chard, broccoli, spinach, cereals, soybeans and some vegetable oils. Bacteria found in the human gastrointestinal tract produce vitamin K, which is believed to be an important source of the body's overall vitamin K reserves.
Considerations
Several medications interact with vitamin K. These include long-term antibiotics, anticonvulsants, blood-thinning medications and weight loss medications that decrease fat absorption. Consult your doctor or pharmacist to determine how much vitamin K you should be getting in your diet if you take these medications.
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