Vitamin deficiencies can affect people at any age, but elderly people may be more prone to vitamin deficiencies due to poor diet and reduced bodily synthesis of vitamins. A lack of vitamin K in the body can cause severe health problems and can be supplemented with either an injection or an oral supplement. There are distinct advantages and disadvantages to both ways of administering this vitamin. As with starting any new treatments, always talk to your doctor first.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for life. Vitamin K is needed by an enzyme in your body that chemically modifies a small subset of proteins to allow them to bind to calcium. Some of these proteins are involved in the chemical reactions that allow your body to form blood clots. Some of the other proteins that need vitamin K to work properly are used to make new bone matrix and to regulate cell growth.
Vitamin K and the Elderly
A lack of vitamin K can cause impaired blood clotting, ultimately resulting in a tendency to bleed or bruise more easily. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, elderly people have an increased risk of developing vitamin K deficiencies. In addition, some elderly people develop weakened bones as a result of poor vitamin K intake, according to an article published in "Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care" in January 2007.
Vitamin K Injections
Injections of vitamin K can be used to rapidly increase blood levels of this vitamin. Typically, vitamin K injections are given to newborns to prevent a vitamin K deficiency. However, elderly patients may also benefit from this route of administration, particularly if they have trouble eating or absorbing vitamin K from their diet. However, this route of administration typically requires some skill to deliver properly and vitamin K injections can be fatal if the vitamin is injected into a vein.
Vitamin K Supplements
Oral vitamin K supplements may be more convenient for elderly patients, particularly if they are already accustomed to taking oral medications. However, oral administration of vitamin K is only effective if the patient is able to absorb the vitamin. This means that patients with gastrointestinal disorders or who have had some of their intestines removed may not respond well to vitamin K supplements.
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