Vitamin K & Crohn's

Crohn's disease is a type of bowel condition that causes the lining of your digestive tract to become inflamed. Crohn's disease often causes severe diarrhea, abdominal pain and malnutrition. Although no cure has been found for Crohn's disease, several studies have shown a possible relationship between vitamin K and Crohn's disease, according to a 2000 article from the "Gut Journal." The studies discovered that people with Crohn's disease also had lower levels of vitamin K relative to healthy individuals.

Use and Interactions

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that facilitates blood clotting. Vitamin K also promotes bone health. People with vitamin K deficiency are prone to bleeding excessively. Vitamin K decreases the effectiveness of blood thinners such as warfarin. Weight loss medications like orlistat and olestra prevent the absorption of fat and decrease your body's ability to properly absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Absorption

Crohn's disease impairs your ability to absorb fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamins A and K. You are therefore likely to suffer vitamin K deficiency when you have Crohn's disease. A 2004 article in the "Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis" states that oral vitamin K supplements did not get properly absorbed because the disease precluded absorption. Vitamin K supplements administered subcutaneously were absorbed more easily.

Dose and Dietary Sources

The recommended daily adult dose of vitamin K is 120 mcg for men and 90 mcg for women. Infants need between 2 and 2.5 mcg of daily. Children ages 1 to 3 require 30 mcg, and children between 4 and 13 need 55 to 60 mcg. Vitamin K is also available in beef liver, green tea and green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, cabbage and asparagus.

About Crohn's Disease

There is no cure for Crohn's disease, but medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids are used to limit the symptoms and complications associated with the disease. Two-thirds to three-fourths of those with Crohn's disease will require surgical intervention when medications are no longer able to manage the symptoms. The removal of the entire colon is necessary in some instances. Treatment for Crohn's disease, especially surgical treatment, often reduces your ability to absorb dietary nutrients Therefore, while undergoing treatment for Crohn's, you may require nutritional supplements, such as vitamin K, to ensure proper nourishment.