Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in blood-clot formation, also known as coagulation. In fact, the "K" in vitamin K comes from the German word "koagulation," according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Vitamin K is used to treat several health conditions, particularly conditions involving blood clotting or platelets. Consult your doctor before taking vitamin K supplements.
Platelets
Platelets are specialized red blood cells that play a major role in forming blood clots. Unlike regular red blood cells, which are round and smooth, platelets possess highly irregular shapes that are full of bumps and protrusions. The irregular shape makes platelets perfect for forming blood clots. When you have a cut or other wound that causes bleeding and exposes blood to oxygen, platelets start breaking apart and clumping together to form a blood clot, explains The Franklin Institute's website.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is required by many of the proteins in your blood that trigger blood clot formation. By binding to calcium, vitamin K allows these proteins to trigger the "coagulation cascade," a series of biochemical reactions that ultimately results in activation of a protein called fibrinogen. Fibrinogen binds to platelets to form fibrin, a tiny, thread-like molecule that forms into a mesh that blocks blood flow.
Vitamin K Deficiency
A deficiency in vitamin K reduces the ability of blood to form blood clots. This delay in clotting increases the risk of severe bleeding and bruising, reports MedlinePlus. Vitamin K deficiency may sometimes result in spontaneous hemorrhaging, which may result in bleeding from the nose or gums. Treatment with vitamin K supplements can reverse vitamin K deficiency and prevent excessive bleeding.
Coagulation Disorders
Many blood coagulation disorders involve reduced levels of platelets, vitamin K or other factors involved in blood clotting, explains Wellness.com. If you are experiencing frequent severe bleeding, your doctor may order blood tests to measure the levels of platelets and vitamin K in your blood. Conversely, if you are experiencing frequent blood clots, your doctor may prescribe a medication such as warfarin that reduces blood-clotting by inhibiting the action of vitamin K.
References
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin K; November 2010
- Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University: Vitamin K; Jane Higdon et al.; May 2004
- The Franklin Institute: Platelets: Sticky Situations
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin K; Steven Ehrlich et al.; June 2009
- Wellness.com: Coagulation Disorders
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