| Vitamin K | |||||
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Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin which is required for a variety of processes in the body. Being fat-soluble means that vitamin K is stored in the liver when more than is required is consumed.
There are a few forms of Vitamin K:
- Vitamin K1 or Phylloquinone – this form is found in plant foods
- Vitamin K2 or Menaquinone – this is the form that friendly bacteria make in the intestines
- Vitamin K3 or Menadione – this is the artificial form
Certain people can have a deficiency of vitamin K and may be offered injections of vitmain K because of this important vitamin's implication in blood clotting - without which, a person could bleed to death.
- Vitamin K is required to make the proteins necessary for blood clotting
- Vitamin K deficiency manifests as a tendency to bleed excessively
- The main source of vitamin K (menaquinone) is synthesised by bacteria in the small intestine
- Vitamin K requires proper lipid (fat) absorption for its own absorption
- Diseases that result in lipid (fat) malabsorption in the small intestine can lead to defects in absorption of vitamin K
Vitamin K is required for many important processes in the bdy:
- Clotting - vitamin K is required to produce the clotting factors in blood (helps with the coagulation of blood)
- Bones - vitamin K helps the bones keep more of their calcium, by reducing the amount that is destroyed
Last reviewed: 14 January 2007 || Last updated: 30 September 2007
Related Articles
references
- Bell RG, Sadowski JA, Matschiner JT. Mechanism of action of warfarin. Warfarin and metabolism of vitamin K1. Biochem. 1972;11:1959-1961
- Cashman KD. Vitamin K status may be an important determinant of childhood bone health. Nutr Rev. 2005 Aug;63(8):284-9. Review
- Knapen MH, Schurgers LJ, Vermeer C. Vitamin K(2) supplementation improves hip bone geometry and bone strength indices in postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2007 Feb 8
- Mager DR, McGee PL, Furuya KN, Roberts EA. Prevalence of vitamin K deficiency in children with mild to moderate chronic liver disease. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2006 Jan;42(1):71-6
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Sato y, Honda Y, Hayasida N, Iwamoto J, Kanoko T, Satoh K. Vitamin K deficiency and osteopenia in elderly women with Alzheimer's disease. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Mar;86(3):576-81
To learn more, go to the following web sites:
- Food Standards Australia and New Zealand
- Dieticians Association of Australia
- Nutrient Reference Values (Australia)
NOTE: Mega doses of any type of vitamin, mineral, amino acid or herbal supplement cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of complementary supplements.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.
