Vitamin K - Benefits, Deficiency And Food Sources

Vitamin K is needed for proper bone formation and blood clotting. In both cases, vitamin K does this by helping the body transport calcium. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K is best known for its role in helping blood clot properly, and in preventing excessive bleeding. It also plays an important role in bone health. There are two naturally occurring forms of vitamin K. Plants synthesize phylloquinone, also known as vitamin K1. Bacteria synthesize a range of vitamin K forms, using repeating 5-carbon units in the side chain of the molecule. Vitamin K is used by doctors when treating an overdose of the drug warfarin. Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting, and studies have shown it to maintain strong bones in the elderly.

Vitamin K is most commonly found in green leaf-like food like spinach, green tea, cabbage, turnip greens, and brussels sprouts. Certain medicines may interact with vitamin K. Those patients who applied the Vitamin K after the procedure noticed a significant reduction in the severity of bruising. Individuals with vitamin K deficiency are usually more likely to have bruising and bleeding. Dermatologists have recently found Vitamin K to be successful on the treatment of dark circles under the eyes and bruising on the face. An examination of the under-eye colour at the beginning of the study and at the end found a significant lightening in the group using the vitamin K and retinol combination.

Benefits of vitamin K to us:-

1. Vitamin K helps the body absorb the beneficial mineral calcium.

2. Vitamin K also prevents the hardening of the arteries, which aids in preventing heart disease and heart failure.

3. Vitamin K can help prevent or treat osteoporosis and the loss of bone density.

4. Vitamin K also has preventive and treatment benefits for cancer.

5. Vitamin K plays a role that prevents this accumulation of calcium and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Deficiency Symptoms of vitamin K:

1. Unusual bleeding, such as from the gums, nose, or gastrointestinal tract.

2. Nosebleeds.

3. Unexplained bruising.

4. Eye hemorrhages.

Food sources of vitamin K:

1. Cereals.

2. Soya beans.

3. Wheat bran.

4. Cauliflower.

5. Broccoli and Cabbage.

6. Bacteria that line the gastrointestinal tract.

By: Juliet Cohen

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Juliet Cohen writes articles for free home remedies. She also writes articles for vitamins world and herbal medicines.