Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in blood clotting. While vitamin K deficiencies are rare, people who do not eat leafy-green vegetables may get sub-optimal amounts of vitamin K. If you are taking an anticoagulant drug such as warfarin, or Coumadin, talk to your doctor to learn more about how to keep your vitamin K levels stable.
Functions and Uses
Your body needs vitamin K to make several proteins that control blood clotting. Vitamin K also has a role in maintaining bone heath. Additionally, vitamin K can help treat some medical conditions such as excessive bleeding and osteoporosis. Newborn infants are typically born with little vitamin K and are given vitamin K injections to prevent hemorrhages. If you are prone to bleeding or are at risk for osteoporosis, talk to a health professional to learn about how vitamin K may help your condition.
Deficiencies
Serious vitamin K deficiencies are uncommon. This is because friendly bacteria that colonize your intestines make vitamin K. Vitamin K is also stored in fat. While clinical deficiencies of vitamin K are rare, only about 1 in 4 Americans gets adequate daily vitamin K from their diet, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Certain medical conditions can also bring on vitamin K deficiency. People with liver or gallbladder diseases may be unable to absorb vitamin K from their intestinal tracts. Antibiotics can also kill off vitamin K-producing bacteria in the gut to cause a vitamin K deficiency. Serious burns can also bring on a vitamin K deficiency.
Sources
Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli and cabbage, are important dietary sources of vitamin K. Vitamin K can also be found in beef liver and green tea. Vitamin K supplements are also available. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with a vitamin K deficiency benefit most from taking a multivitamin that contains vitamin K, rather than a separate vitamin K supplement.
Recommendations
The daily recommended intake of vitamin K for infants up to 6 months is 2 micrograms; for infants 7 to 12 months, it's 2.5 micrograms; for children 1 to 3 years, it's 30 micrograms; for children 4 to 8 years, it's 55 micrograms; for children 9 to 13 years, it's 60 micrograms and for adolescents 14 to 18 years old, it's 75 micrograms. Males 19 years and older need 120 micrograms, while females 19 years and older need 90 micrograms. Pregnant and breastfeeding females 14 to 18 years need 75 micrograms, while pregnant and breastfeeding females 19 years and older need 90 micrograms of vitamin K. Vitamin K deficiency is rare and most people do not need to worry about not having enough vitamin K. If you are prone to bleeding or are taking antibiotics or anticoagulant drugs, talk to your doctor to learn more about vitamin K. As with other vitamins and supplements, consult your physician before using a vitamin K supplement.
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