When you cut your finger, a blood clot quickly forms to prevent excessive bleeding. Blood clotting is a complex process involving a variety of blood proteins. Protein C and vitamin K are important components of the blood clotting process. Lacking these components can cause a variety of problems related to blood clotting and recovery from injuries.
Protein C
Your body needs proteins that promote blood coagulation as well as proteins that stop coagulation in order to balance the blood clotting process. Protein C works as an anti-coagulant, preventing your blood from thickening too much. Protein C functions by inhibiting molecules that cause blood coagulation. Without protein C, your blood to coagulate too much and cause dangerous blood clots.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is an important part of the blood clotting process. The vitamin works in conjuction with an enzyme that activates a variety of proteins. Activation of several proteins that cause appropriate blood clotting depends on the presence of vitamin K. Broccoli, leafy green vegetables and soybean oil are good dietary sources of vitamin K.
Relationship
Before protein C becomes activated, vitamin K must be present. Vitamin K works in the liver, where protein C is synthesized. The vitamin activates an enzyme that cleaves a precursor molecule, turning it into the active form of protein C. Protein C then proceeds to initiate its anticoagulant activities in the blood.
Deficiencies
Having a vitamin K or protein C deficiency can be very dangerous for your health. Some people have a genetic condition in which they are protein C deficient. As a result, their blood clotting process lacks a method to slow coagulation and prevent the formation of dangerous clots. Vitamin K deficiency causes a variety of symptoms, including easy bruising, nosebleeds, bleeding gums, blood in the urine, blood in the stool or heavy menstrual bleeding.
References
- RCN; Blood Clotting; Jan. 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute: Vitamin K
- MedScape; Protein C Deficiency; Adam Cuker; June 2009
- Archives of Disease in Childhood; Relationship Between Vitamin K Dependent Coagulation Factors and Anticoagulants (Protein C and Protein S) in Neonatal Vitamin K Deficiency; T. Matsuzaka et al; March 1993
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