Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that has several important functions in the body. Most individuals get enough vitamin K from the diet because the nutrient is available in many common foods, such as leafy, green vegetables like spinach and lettuce, eggs, dairy, avocado and soybeans. The intestinal tract also produces a form of vitamin K. Certain medical conditions may cause a deficiency in the necessary vitamin. The main symptom associated with a vitamin K deficiency is bleeding, which commonly occurs under the skin or in the gastrointestinal tract.
Blood Clotting
The body needs vitamin K to make the proteins responsible for controlling bleeding. The formation of these clotting factors occurs in the liver. The primary symptom of a vitamin K deficiency is increased bleeding. Newborns lack the ability to produce vitamin K in the intestines and require a vitamin K supplement as an intramuscular injection shortly after birth to reduce the risk of bleeding. People who are at risk for blood clots, or who are on oral anticoagulants should avoid eating large amounts of foods rich in vitamin K.
Cellular Growth
A protein, referred to as Gas6, needs vitamin K for proper functioning. Gas6 may help regulate cellular growth by playing a role in cellular functions including cell adhesion, protection against programmed cellular death and cellular proliferation, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Many organs, including the heart, kidneys, stomach and lungs, as well as cartilage and the nervous system, have Gas6 proteins.
Bone Development
Vitamin K plays a role in developing healthy bones. People with low levels of vitamin K also have low bone densities, which places them at risk for fractures. Increasing dietary intake of vitamin K by eating a serving of lettuce each day helps cut the risk of developing a hip fracture by half, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Prevention
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer involving the blood. Vitamin K may help prevent developing the condition because the vitamin may inhibit inflammatory cytokines, which may contribute to development of this cancer. The protection from vitamin K appears to occur with a high dietary intake of the nutrient, not from supplemental use. In a study conducted by the Mayo Clinic, the risk of developing the lymphoma was around 45 percent lower for people with high dietary intake of vitamin K foods.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin K; Jane Higdon, Ph.D; May 2004.
- Mayo Clinic: Vitamin K May Protect Against Developing Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Say Mayo Clinic Researchers: April 2010
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Vitamin K; Larry E. Johnson, MD, PhD; August 2007
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin K; Linda Vorvick, MD; March 2009
- Harvard School of Public Health: Vitamin K
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