Vitamin K doesn't cause excessive bleeding; quite the opposite is true. Vitamin K is the coagulation vitamin. It assists in the formation of blood clots, which stop bleeding and enable wounds to heal. A lack of vitamin K, however, can inhibit your ability to form blood clots and can lead to excessive bleeding.
The Coagulation Cascade
For a blood clot to form, a series of biochemical reactions, collectively referred to as the "coagulation cascade," must occur. These reactions must occur in a particular sequence for a blood clot to form properly. Proteins called clotting factors assist in the steps necessary for clot formation, and vitamin K assists in the activation of seven of these clotting factors, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. If one of the vitamin K dependent clotting factors doesn't perform properly, the next step in the cascade cannot proceed, the clot cannot form and the bleeding continues unabated.
Causes of Vitamin K Deficiency
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Small amounts are stored in fat tissues in your body, but these can rapidly be depleted. Fortunately, your body "recycles" the vitamin K you use through a process called the vitamin K cycle. Also, bacteria that live in the human gastrointestinal system manufacture small amounts of vitamin K. As a result, deficiencies in this nutrient are rare. If you have a disorder that hinders your ability to absorb fats through your digestive system, you may be at increased risk of vitamin K deficiency. Infants are at higher risk of vitamin K deficiency, due to their lack of established colonies of gastrointestinal bacteria, the difficulty of transporting vitamin K across the placenta and the relatively low vitamin K content in human breast milk.
Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency
If you are deficient in vitamin K, the symptoms will reflect your body's inability to properly staunch the flow of blood. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that your first sign of vitamin K deficiency can be bleeding from the nose or gums. Other possible symptoms include bloody urine or stool, easy bruising and heavy menstrual periods.
Sources of Vitamin K
There are two types of vitamin K currently available without a prescription. Vitamin K-1, or phylloquinone, is found in green leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach, cabbage and dark green lettuce. It is also present in prunes, okra, asparagus and cooking oils such as soybean, olive and canola oil. K-2 is a synthetic form of vitamin K, also known as menoquinone. It is used in supplements sold in health food stores. The American Cancer Society notes that healthy adults generally obtain enough vitamin K through their diet and supplementation is not usually necessary. Women should consume 90mcg of vitamin K daily, while men need 120mcg.
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