Bruising occurs when trauma to your body causes capillaries near the surface of your skin to break, allowing blood to leak out into the surrounding tissues. As the bruise ages, the blood is broken down and reabsorbed, and the byproducts of its breakdown cause the bruise to turn a variety of shades in the process. If you are prone to bruising, it may be a sign of vitamin K deficiency, but other causes may also be involved.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is named for the German word "koagulation," which translates to "coagulation" in English. The only verified function of this nutrient is coagulation. It aids your ability to form blood clots and stop bleeding. This vital function can sometimes cause problems for those with increased risk of heart disease due to the risk of a blood clot traveling to the brain or heart, where it can cause stroke or myocardial infarction. As a result, some people use prescription medications such as Coumadin that decrease blood clotting,
Vitamin K Deficiency
When you're deficient in vitamin K, you may have symptoms related to increased bleeding. These can include nosebleeds, heavy menstrual periods, bloody gums and, yes, easy bruising. Properly prescribed vitamin K supplements may help decrease your bruising if you have a vitamin K deficiency. If your bruising is caused by anything else, however, vitamin K is unlikely to change your condition. Vitamin K deficiencies are quite rare in adults, as this nutrient is readily available in common foods like broccoli and dark green lettuce, and is also produced by bacteria that inhabit your gastrointestinal system.
Other Causes of Easy Bruising
Everyone experiences the occasional contusion, but if your bruises seem excessive, frequent, or show up with no known cause, you should consult your doctor. The Mayo Clinic states that bruising may be a sign of a serious problem related to blood clotting. Other factors that can increase your susceptibility to bruising include the use of blood thinning drugs such as Coumadin or aspirin, the use of dietary supplements like fish oil or ginkgo, which may also thin the blood, and the use of corticosteroids that can cause thinning of the skin. As you grow older, you may notice an increased tendency to bruise, as aging capillaries and thinning skin make you more vulnerable to bruising.
Topical Vitamin K
Two small studies have concluded that topical applications of vitamin K are helpful in relieving bruising caused by laser skin treatments used for cosmetic purposes. In 2002 the "Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" published results of a study that showed decreased severity of bruising when vitamin K was used after laser treatment. A 2010 study published in the "British Journal of Dermatology reached the same conclusion. However, the American Cancer Society discounts these studies, stating the results were not very different from those seen in patients who used a placebo, and that more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of topical vitamin K.
References
- American Cancer Society: Vitamin K -- 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin K; Jane HIgdon; May 2004
- Mayo Clinic; Easy Bruising: Common As You Age; 2009
- "Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology"; The Effects of Topical Vitamin K on Bruising After Laser Treatment; N. S. Shah, et al; 2002
- "British Journal of Dermatology"; Accelerated Resolution of Laser-Induced Bruising with Topical 20% Arnica: A Rater-Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial; S. Leu, et al; 2010
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