Vitamin K is a type of fat-soluble vitamin. Your body can store such vitamins in your fatty tissue. Vitamin K performs various vital functions for your body. You can get vitamin K from food and also from vitamin K or multivitamin supplements. The amount of vitamin K you require is affected by certain factors. If your levels exceed or fall below your body's optimum levels, you may experience adverse effects.
Increases Bone Density
Your body needs vitamin K to utilize calcium for bone density. Osteoporosis can develop if you have low levels of this vitamin. Studies now suggest that vitamin K not only lowers your risk of osteoporosis, but also it improves your overall bone health and decreases the risk of fractures.
Decreases Risk of Cancer
Studies suggest a relationship between vitamin K deficiency and certain kinds of cancer. Males in a 2008 cancer study mentioned by the American Cancer Society were at great risk of developing prostate cancer due to low vitamin K levels. Another study cited by the Society describes how vitamin K can lower the resistance of certain cancer cells to specific chemotherapy drugs.
Prevents Excessive Bleeding
Vitamin K helps prevent your body from bleeding excessively. Newborns receive vitamin K inoculations to protect them from hemorrhaging after delivery. Vitamin K can also lower your risk of bleeding due to liver disease.
Proper Levels
Prior to taking vitamin K, certain factors must be considered to determine proper levels you need. Your age is an important factor to consider, because children and infants may be sensitive to high levels of vitamin K. Infants younger than 12 months are given less than 3 mcg of vitamin K per day, MedlinePlus notes. Children ages 1 to 8 take between 30 to 60 mcg per day. The daily dose swells to 60 mcg per day between the ages of 9 and 13. By the time you reach your early 20s, you can take as much as 90 mcg of vitamin K per day. You may want to avoid eating foods rich in vitamin K or taking vitamin K supplements during pregnancy, because this may cause problems for your baby, according to Drugs.com.
Vitamin K in Food
Various types of green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, have vitamin K. You can also get vitamin K from cabbage, cereals and soybeans. The bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract can also make vitamin K. Developing a vitamin K deficiency is not very common; however, you may develop a deficiency if your body is unable to properly absorb vitamin K via your digestive system.
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