The Function of Vitamin K in Our Life

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. The "K" is derived from the German word "koagulation." Coagulation refers to the process of blood clot formation. Vitamin K is essential for the functioning of several proteins involved in blood clotting.

Vitamin K deficiency exists when chronic failure to eat sufficient amounts of vitamin K results in a tendency for spontaneous bleeding or in prolonged and excessive bleeding with trauma or injury. Vitamin K deficiency occurs also in newborn infants, as well as in people treated with certain antibiotics. The protein in the body most affected by vitamin K deficiency is a blood-clotting protein called prothrombin.

Key Functions of Vitamin K

* Coagulation (Blood clotting) - Your blood normally has a number of different clotting factors - substances that help it form clots to stop bleeding from cuts, bruises, and other injuries. Without clotting factors, your blood clots very slowly or not at all, so even a small cut can bleed for a long time and even a minor bang can cause a big bruise.
* Osteoporosis - You need Vitamin K to help your bones grab onto calcium, put it in the right place, and hold onto it once it's there. If you don't have enough K's, you won't be able to form new bone very well. In the long run, shortage of Vitamin K can lead to osteoporosis, or bones that are brittle and break easily.
* Kills Cancer Cells - So far this has only proven true within the test tube. Vitamin K seems to slow down or kill tumor cells in the lab just as well as powerful drugs. In some studies the combining of Vitamin K with standard anticancer drugs is being reviewed to see if it will help them work better. However, there is no strong data to prove how well this works yet.

Food Sources of Vitamin K

Excellent sources of vitamin K include:

* spinach
* Brussels sprouts
* Swiss chard
* green beans
* asparagus
* broccoli
* kale
* mustard greens
* green peas
* carrots

Recommended Daily Usage of Vitamin K

* Children: (4-6 years) - 20ug
* Children: (7-14 years) - 30ug
* Adults: (15-18 years) - Male (65ug), Female (55ug)
* Adults: (19-24 years) - Male (70ug), Female (60ug)
* Adults: (25-50 years) - Male (80ug), Female (65ug)
* Adults: (50+ years) - Male (80ug), Female (65ug)

Nutritional Safety

Vitamin K deficiency is rare but can cause poor blood coagulation and therefore longer bleeding time. Severe deficiency can lead to fatal anemia. When animals are deprived of vitamin K for long periods of time, they have problems crystallizing bone, and they stop growing taller.

When vitamin K deficiency does occur, it is most likely to happen in newborns, especially if they are premature, breastfed, or their mother was taking anticoagulant medication. Babies are born with sterile intestines; therefore there are no bacteria in their guts to produce vitamin K2, making them more susceptible to vitamin K deficiency if their diet has inadequate amounts.

Deficiency is also more likely in people who have problems absorbing fats, such as in obstructive jaundice, celiac disease, chronic diarrhea, intestinal bypass surgery, chronic pancreatitis, and liver disease. People who have been injured, have impaired kidney function, or use antibiotics for extended periods of time are also at greater risk for vitamin K deficiency.

My next article entitled "The Function of Calcium in our Life" will examine the role of Calcium in good nutrition.

See you on the Beaches of the World,

Kevin McNabb

This article will examine the role of Vitamin K in good nutrition.

Information about the Author:

Kevin McNabb is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Toronto-based GlobalHealthMgmt.com, he offers live seminars and Internet training programs on personal development for the Network Marketing industry. Details can be seen at www.KevinMcNabb.com. For more information on this article topic, see http://www.globalhealthmgmt.com/Vitamins_Supplements.html

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