Is Potassium The Same As Vitamin K?

Potassium and vitamin K are both required for good health, but their similarities end there. Potassium is an essential mineral and you body cannot synthesize potassium so you must obtain it through your diet. Potassium is required for the proper function of cells, tissues and organs in the human body. Vitamin K on the other hand, is a fat-soluble vitamin that is needed for proper blood clotting and it supports bone health. Although vitamin K is found in food, the majority of vitamin K in you body is produced by bacteria in your large intestines.

Potassium Information

Potassium is an electrolyte, which means that it takes on either a positive or negative charge and helps to keep numerous bodily processes working correctly. In addition, potassium works with sodium to control the balance of water in your body. According to Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," potassium is also thought to encourage healthy bones, promote nervous system health, prevent heart attacks and stroke, aid in muscle contraction and regulate the transfer of nutrients through cell membranes. In addition, potassium is thought to help regulate blood pressure and prevent hypertension.

Potassium Deficiency

A potassium deficiency is called hypokalemia, and it is characterized by symptoms such as weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps, stomach disturbances and an irregular heartbeat. Potassium is found in many foods including meat, fish, dairy, legumes and numerous fruits and vegetables. As such, if you eat a healthy diet, it is unlikely that you are deficient in potassium.

Vitamin K Information

Vitamin K is found in foods such as leafy greens, alfalfa, cauliflower, tomatoes, strawberries, liver, yogurt and egg yolks. Vitamin K is required for the production of important proteins involved in blood coagulation, which is the process of normal blood clotting. Coagulation is considered to be the most important role of vitamin K and the vitamin is needed to prevent hemorrhaging and other bleeding problems. Vitamin K also plays an essential role in the production of the bone proteins osteocalcin. As such, it is required for proper bone formation and repair and a deficiency of vitamin K can result in reduced bone density and consequently an increased risk of fractures.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Although vitamin K deficiency is considered rare, Elson Haas states in his book "Staying Healthy with Nutrition" that people with certain genetic or liver disorders; frequent antibiotic users or people with a reduced ability to produce vitamin K in the their intestines; and people who have colitis, celiac disease and other intestinal malabsorption problems may all become deficient. Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency may include easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in the stool or urine, tarry black stools or very heavy menstrual bleeding.