Vitamin K, also known as phylloquinone or K1 and menaquinone or K2, is a fat-soluble vitamin that maintains healthy blood clotting and prevents excessive bleeding and hemorrhage. Most of it is stored in the liver, however, your body needs a constant dietary source of vitamin K since the amount stored is enough to last just a few days.
Prothrombin Deficiency
Prothrombin is a clotting factor essential to prevent bleeding. You may require vitamin K if you have a prothrombin deficiency induced by ingestion of anticoagulants like warfarin, antibiotics like cephalosporins and other drugs such as aspirin. You may also develop prothrombin deficiency in certain medical conditions such as obstructive jaundice, biliary fistula, sprue, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, intestinal resection, cystic fibrosis of the pancreas and regional enteritis.
Newborns
Vitamin K immunization for infants is within a few hours of birth is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics . Newborns are born with very low amounts of vitamin K and are unable to synthesize it for the first few weeks of their lives. Vitamin K is also used in the management of hemorrhagic disease of the newborn, which is a bleeding condition characterized by deficiency of clotting factors in the newborn.
Other Conditions
There is not enough evidence to prove the efficacy of vitamin K in the improvement of the following conditions: Weak bones, heart disease, high cholesterol, spider veins, bruises, scars, stretch marks, burns, swellings, the National Institutes of Health report. However, vitamin K may be prescribed for these conditions.
Available Forms of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is available as an injection. It is also available as an oral liquid formulation, and as proprietary health supplements in the market.These supplements are available as liquid multi-vitamin and mineral products, capsules, tablets and fortified foods; green food supplements. Always consult your physician about the form and dosage of vitamin K you require.
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