Mayonnaise & Vitamin K

Feb 27, 2011 | By Emily Creasy

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting. The body stores it in fat tissues and the liver. Rich sources of vitamin K include beef liver, broccoli and leafy green vegetables, including spinach and kale. Mayonnaise contains vitamin K, but because it is also rich in fat it is not as healthy a source of vitamin K as vegetables are.

Functions of Vitamin K

The body needs vitamin K to maintain a balance of calcium. The vitamin works to help strengthen bones, increase bone mineral density and decrease the risk of falls in those with osteoporosis. Doctors give vitamin K to newborns to help prevent brain hemorrhages after delivery.

Recommendations

Adult males require a minimum of 120 mcg vitamin K each day, while females require 90 mcg daily. Vitamin K needs do not change during pregnancy or lactation. The U.S. recommended daily allowance of vitamin K for infants ages 0 to 12 months is 2 to 2.5 mcg per day, while adolescents ages 14 to 18 need up to 75 mcg daily. Children ages 1 to 8 need 30 to 55 mcg vitamin K per day, and ages 9 to 13 require 60 mcg.

Vitamin K in Mayonnaise

One tablespoon of mayonnaise contains 6.2 mcg of vitamin K. This meets approximately 5 percent of adult males' daily vitamin K needs. Fat-free and light mayonnaise varieties contain slightly less vitamin K, with only 3.7 to 4 mcg per tablespoon.

Other Mayonnaise Nutrition Facts

A tablespoon of full-fat mayonnaise contains 57 calories, 5 g fat, 3.5 g carbohydrates and 0.13 g protein. Light mayonnaise contains only slightly fewer calories, with similar amounts of protein and fat. A tablespoon provides 49 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g carbohydrate and 0.13 g protein. Fat-free mayonnaise is a very low source of calories, fat, carbohydrates and protein, containing only 13 calories, 0.43 g fat, 2.5 g carbohydrate and 0.03 g protein per tablespoon.