Vitamin K plays a major role in blood coagulation. Your blood clots in order to prevent excess bleeding from injuries like cuts or bruises. This function works through a series of protein reactions facilitated by vitamin K. Recommendations of vitamin K vary by age.
Recommendations for Infants and Children
According to the National Institutes of Health, newborn infants up to 6 month olds need 2 mcg per day. Babies 7 to 12 months old need 2.5 mcg per day. Children 1 to 3 years of age need about 3 mcg of vitamin K each day. Kids 4 to 8 years old should increase to 55 mcg per day. Kids ranging in age from 8 to 13 years old need 60 mcg per day.
Recommendations for Adolescents and Adults
Juveniles between the ages of 14 to 18 years old should aim for 75 mcg of vitamin K intake each day. Those older than 19 should increase to 90 mcg per day.
Medication and Vitamin K
Warfarin, a blood-thinning medication, interacts with vitamin K. Since vitamin K works to clot blood, warfarin inhibits vitamin K to reduce blood coagulation. Eating a large amount of vitamin K can react negatively with your warfarin regimen. Sticking with eating a small amount of foods high in vitamin K is the best thing to do.
Sources of Vitamin K
You can get vitamin K from vegetable and grain-based foods. Good sources of vitamin K include kale, cauliflower, spinach, soybeans, whole grain cereals and Brussels sprouts.
Absorption of Vitamin K
According to the book "Nutrition" by Paul Insel and colleagues, even in a normal and healthy person, vitamin K absorption by the body may be only 40 percent at best. Since vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, the rate and amount of your absorption is influenced by the fat in your diet. Individuals that have difficulty absorbing nutrients from the digestive system, may also have trouble getting enough vitamin K.
References
- "Nutrition"; Paul Insel, Don Ross, Kimberley McMahon, Melissa Bernstein; 2011
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin K
- Mayo Clinic: Warfarin Diet: What Foods Should I Avoid?
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