Certain vegetables provide a significant amount of vitamin K, a nutrient that gets its name from the German word koagulationsvitamin, according to MedlinePlus. Vitamin K is prevalent in a variety of vegetables and contributes to proper blood clotting. If you have conditions that lead to excessive blood clotting or cause your blood to clot too rapidly, your doctor may prescribe an anticoagulant medication such as warfarin to slow down or inhibit the process. You may also be advised to monitor your diet and avoid excessive intakes of vitamin K.
Sources
The adequate intake of vitamin K established by the Institute of Medicine is 90 mcg for women and 120 mcg for men. This recommendation takes into account the fact that your body produces the nutrient as well. When boiled, vegetables such as kale, turnip greens and spinach provide more than four times the established adequate intake of vitamin K. Besides leafy green vegetables, other significant sources include raw broccoli, boiled asparagus, boiled okra and canned green peas. Your doctor may recommend monitoring your intake of these foods if you experience excessive blood clotting.
Strategy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration set the daily value for vitamin K at 80 mcg. Daily values are used to determine whether a food is a good source or a poor source of a particular nutrient. Foods that provide less than 5 percent of the daily value of a nutrient are classified as low sources of that nutrient. Vegetables, then, that provide 4 mcg or less of vitamin K are low sources and less likely to increase your risk for blood clotting.
Generally Safe Bets
Vegetables with a low vitamin K content include boiled mature lima beans, raw tomatillos, cooked mature lentils, raw summer squash, baked sweet potato and boiled potatoes. Options that provide 2 mcg or less of vitamin K include canned baked beans, raw tomatoes, boiled mature navy beans, baked potatoes and boiled onions. Rutabagas, boiled sweet corn, raw onion, water chestnuts and raw Jerusalem artichokes all provide less than 0.5 mcg of vitamin K, while mushrooms contain no vitamin K.
Considerations
If you've been advised to limit vitamin K in your diet, work with your doctor or registered dietitian to plan meals that match your nutritional needs. Individuals taking blood thinning medications may be advised to maintain a consistent intake of vitamin K so that medication can be regulated properly. When taking such medications, drastic increases or decreases in vitamin K may increase your risk of blood clotting or excessive bleeding. Your doctor may also caution you about excessive vitamin C and vitamin E intake.
References
- MedlinePlus: Vitamin K
- National Institutes of Health Drug-Nutrient Information Task Force: Important Information to Know When You Are Taking Coumadin and Vitamin K
- Institute of Medicine: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs): Recommended Dietary Allowances and Adequate Intakes, Vitamins
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23: Vitamin K Content of Selected Foods
- MayoClinic.com; Percent Daily Value: What Does it Mean?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; May 2010
- MedlinePlus: Warfarin
