Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for the uninterrupted functioning of the human body as well as the maintenance of its overall health. The fat-soluble vitamin is beneficial for almost all body parts. It is naturally produced by the bacteria living in intestines and is stored in the liver. Vitamin K plays a key role in normal clotting of the blood and helps promote bone health. Found in a variety food items, it has many advantageous effects on the skin as well. Deficiency of vitamin K may result in chronic diseases, which makes it an important addition in your diet. Go through the article to know all about Vitamin K, its benefits, sources, functions and deficiency.
Health Benefits
The deficiency of Vitamin K can manifest itself in the form of following symptoms:
Health Benefits
- Vitamin K prevents severe blood loss due to injury, by slowing and stopping the bleeding.
- It assists the absorption of an essential mineral - calcium.
- It helps prevent the loss of bone density and helps treat osteoporosis.
- It prevents the hardening of arteries, thereby reducing the risk of heart diseases.
- It has preventive and treatment benefits for cancer.
- It is beneficial for women who experience excessive menstrual bleeding.
- It prevents the risk of hemorrhagic disease in newborns.
- Recent studies show that vitamin K is effective in treating dark circles under the eyes and bruising on the face.
- Spinach
- Brussels Sprouts
- Green tea
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Turnip Greens
- Cereals
- Wheat Bran
- Soya Beans
- String Beans
- Yoghurt
- Alfalfa
- Tomatoes
- String Beans
- Lean Meat
- Eggs
- Lettuce
- Makes the protein that is need for the clotting of blood
- Helps keep the calcium stay out of the arteries
- Synthesizes proteins found in plasma, bone and kidneys
- Essential for conversion of amino acid glutamate into gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (GCA)
- Helps the calcium to get into bones
- Involved in carboxylation of osteocalcin (OC), in order to bind calcium
The deficiency of Vitamin K can manifest itself in the form of following symptoms:
- Excessive bleeding of wounds
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Heavy menstruation bleeding
- Gum bleeding
- Ovarian Hemorrhaging
- Eye hemorrhages
- Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn
- Prolonged clotting
- Tinted urine
- Blood in the urine
- Easy bruising
- Hypercalciuria
- Calcification of soft tissue, especially heart valves
- Easy fractures
