Vitamin K is an essential vitamin that is found in green leafy vegetables. Your body needs vitamin K each day to perform essential functions related to blood, bone and tissue health. If you do not consume enough green leafy vegetables each day, you may develop symptoms of a vitamin K deficiency.
Good Sources and Recommendations
Some good sources of vitamin K include green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, kale, collard greens, Brussels sprouts and parsley. Vitamin K is also found in dark berries and is present in some commonly used cooking oils. The Harvard School of Public Health states that men should consume 120 micrograms of vitamin K each day and women should consume 90 micrograms each day from food or in combination with a supplement or multivitamin.
Importance Of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is important for blood clotting. Your body uses vitamin K to make several of the proteins needed to clot blood. Without vitamin K, you would not be able to stop bleeding from injuries. Vitamin K is also necessary for the health of your bones and other tissues. The Harvard School of Public Health states that low levels of vitamin K in the blood have been associated with low bone density, which could lead to fractures or other injuries.
Medication Considerations
One important factor to consider when choosing to add or increase your vitamin K intake through supplements, is whether or not you are on anticoagulant medication such as Coumadin. If you are on blood thinning medications, you need to consult with your doctor before increasing, or taking, vitamin K because it may interfere with how the medication works. MedlinePlus adds that taking high doses of vitamin E with vitamin K can also affect the function of vitamin K in the body. Therefore, consult with your health care provider before taking these supplements.
Dietary Sources
It is best to get the essential vitamins from natural sources. To do this, you need to incorporate foods that contain vitamin K in your diet. If you do not regularly eat salads or green leafy vegetables, then you may need a supplement. The Harvard School of Public Health states that not all multivitamins contain vitamin K, so you need to look on the label before purchasing. To avoid complications, stick to the recommended dosage levels and try to get the majority from natural food sources.
Member Comments