Vitamin K is one of the four fat-soluble vitamins. There are various forms of vitamin K in nature, with plants, bacteria and animals all synthesizing a slightly different form. The main roles of vitamin K are blood coagulation, bone metabolism and calcium metabolism in the vascular system. The 1995 issue of "Annual Review of Nutrition" reports that while bacteria in the intestines synthesize part of the human vitamin K requirements, their contribution is not enough, and sufficient vitamin K needs to be taken in from the diet. You should never start a new supplement without consulting your doctor first.
Deficiency
Due to the fact that vitamin K is widespread in foods and is synthesized by intestinal bacteria, vitamin K deficiency in adults is uncommon. However it can occur in people taking certain medications, especially anticoagulants, and in individuals with intestinal disorders. Signs of vitamin K deficiency are delayed blood clotting, increased tendency to bruise, bleeding gums and nosebleeds, heavy menstrual bleeding and blood in stools.
Bruising and Bleeding
When bleeding occurs as a result of a cut or trauma, substances in the blood itself interact with the surrounding tissue to form a clot, thereby stopping the bleeding. Vitamin K is one of the substances essential for this process to take place. If vitamin K is present in insufficient quantities, clotting will be delayed and you will bleed longer. A bruise occurs when trauma to the body causes capillaries under the skin to burst and release blood in the surrounding area. Vitamin K deficiency will cause this bleeding under the skin to be more profuse, and therefore you will be more susceptible to bruises. If you are worried that your clotting time is abnormal, a doctor can conduct the prothrombin time test or activated partial thromboplastin time test.
Sources
Vitamin K is widespread in foods, but particularly good sources are green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and broccoli; fruits such as the avocado; herbs such as parsley; meat; poultry; fish; dairy and eggs. Supplements are also available and are used not only in vitamin K deficiency but also for the prevention of osteoporosis, as reported in the March 2011 issue of "Nutrition Reviews."
Warning
You should never supplement with vitamin K without a doctor's approval, as an excess of this vitamin can increase the risk of a blood clot forming within the blood vessels. You should also seek medical advice with regards to your vitamin K intake if you are using anticoagulants, as these interfere with vitamin K metabolism. Fat-loss supplements which decrease the amount of fat absorption from the intestine will also lower the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and should be used with care.
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