Vitamin K Foods

Vitamin K is an important nutrient found in many of the foods you eat. This vitamin plays an essential role in blood clotting. and it has been used to reverse the effects of blood-thinning drugs and to treat conditions of excessive bleeding. MedlinePlus notes that vitamin K also aids in the prevention of osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weakened bones, and it can alleviate symptoms of itchiness associated with biliary cirrhosis, a type of liver disease. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, the adequate intake for this vitamin is 120 mcg in males and 90 mcg in females.

Foods High In Vitamin K

Many dark, leafy greens are the richest sources of vitamin K. According to the National Institutes of Health, these greens include kale, spinach, turnip greens, collards, swiss chard, parsley and mustard greens. These foods can provide you with 200% or more of your daily value intake for vitamin K.

Foods Moderately High In Vitamin K

Other vegetables and leafy greens are also moderate sources of vitamin K. According to the National Institutes of Health, moderate sources can provide you with 60% to 199% of the daily value for vitamin K. These include spinach, brussels sprouts, green leaf lettuce, turnip greens, endive, broccoli and romaine lettuce. Including these vegetable sources in daily salads and main courses can be good way to boost your intake of this important vitamin.

Vegetable Oils

Vegetable oils are good sources of vitamin K and can help you boost your intake of this nutrient. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, 1 tbsp. of olive oil contains 8.1 mcg of vitamin K, while 1 tbsp. of canola oil contains 16.6 mcg. Other good oils to choose are soybean and cottonseed.

Other Foods

Other foods may contain smaller amounts of vitamin K. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, one tablespoon of mayonnaise supplies you with 3.7 mcg of vitamin K. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that beef liver is also a good source of vitamin K. Vitamin K is now added to food products that contain olestra, a substance added to food products to reduce fat absorption and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. You may need to read labels to see if olestra is an added ingredient to food products and take caution if you are on blood thinners or have blood disorders.