Have You Heard About Vitamin K?

Just when you thought you knew all of the vitamins and minerals you need in your diet to stay healthy, you hear about another one called Vitamin "K". What is vitamin K you ask, why do you need it, and how do you get it into your diet?

What is Vitamin "K"

Vitamin "K" is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced by bacteria in your intestine. Not only does your body produce vitamin K, but you can get it by eating leafy green vegetables, dairy products, and fruit.

Why do we need vitamin "K"

This little heard of vitamin has three important jobs in the human body. Vitamin K is an essential component which allows your blood to clot. Your liver needs vitamin K to make blood clotting enzymes. Vitamin "K" also helps the body to transport calcium. This helps your bones grow and repair themselves properly, and helps to prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin K also helps to free cells of antioxidants, by neutralizing free radicals that can damage the delicate fats forming the primary parts of our cell membranes.

Foods containing vitamin "K"

Leafy green vegetables are good sources of Vitamin K, but it can also be found in other food sources.

Vegetable sources

Alfalfa sprouts, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage (the green kind, not the purple), cauliflower, collard greens, green beans, kale, mustard greens, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip greens

Other sources

Dairy Products: egg yolks, cow's milk

Fruits: cranberries, pears, strawberries, papaya

Indicators of Vitamin "K" Deficiency

Signs of vitamin K deficiency are excessive bruising and bleeding. Women whose menstrual periods are excessively heavy may also be lacking enough vitamin K. People whose bones fracture easily, or have a reduced bone density, may benefit from an increase of vitamin K. If you have digestive or intestinal disorders, vitamin K absorption may be blocked causing a deficiency. Having liver or gallbladder ailments can also lead to a deficiency if they are not secreting the proper enzymes needed to process vitamin K.

Before taking a vitamin K supplement, or embarking on a vitamin K rich diet plan, please consult your healthcare practitioner. You need them to properly diagnose the cause of your health problems, and to determine if an increase of vitamin K, is the right solution for you.

Sources

Vitamin K: www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/misc_topics/vitamink.html
VitaminK: www.whfoods.org/genpage.php?pfriendly=1&tname=nutrient&dbid=112