Healthy Eating & Vitamin K

Vitamin K is necessary for the body’s natural functioning in blood clotting  by preventing excessive bleeding. Vitamin K is not like many other vitamins which are used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin K is normally not deficient in the average adult.

Vitamin K is made up of two different  compounds; vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. Vitamin K1 is naturally obtained from green leafy and some other vegetables. Vitamin K2 is naturally obtained from animal products and synthesized by bacteria. The primary source used for supplementation in the U.S. is Vitamin K1.

In our bodies, Vitamin K breaks down calcium, thus helping to prevent hard deposits (calcium and fatty material) from forming in artery walls. Having smooth and flexible blood vessels is necessary for healthy circulation, which in turn reduces the risk of harmful blood clots or heart disease. In addition, when calcium breaks down, vitamin K2 activates a protein that helps the mineral bind to our bones which we need to help build and maintain bone health, reducing risks of bone fractures. Also, research have found that vitamin K2 may slow or stop cancer cell activity, thus improving survival rates and cancer recurrence. Other uses of vitamin K are for the symptoms of morning sickness, the removal of spider veins, and some other conditions.

There are a few conditions that may put you are risk for vitamin K deficiencies: Those who have diseases that affect absorption in the digestive tract, like Crohn's disease or active celiac disease, those who take drugs which interfere with vitamin K absorption, those who are severely malnourished or drink alcohol heavily.

Cautions: Do not use vitamin K supplements unless your health care provider tells you to. Those on Coumadin may need to watch their diets closely to control the amount of vitamin K they take.