Characteristics of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a human vitamin (or a name given to two vitamins) which is soluble in lipids. There are 2 natural forms of this K vitamin: K1 and K2. Recently, specialists obtained artificially the so called vitamin K3. 50% of this vitamin is produced by the intestinal flora and the other 50% should result from the consumption of aliments that include this particular vitamin.

The Sources of the Vitamin K

Vitamin K can not be found in sufficient amounts in the nutritional supplements that can appear on the market. This is why the consumption of the foods that include this vitamin is essential, in case a vitamin K deficit occurs.

K vitamin can be found in both animal and vegetal aliments. The plants that include substantial quantities of this vitamin are: alfalfa, cabbage, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and chestnut tree leafs. Usually, most of the green leaf plants contain some amounts of this vitamin. The only animal products that have considerable amounts of K vitamin are the pork liver, the egg yolk and the yoghurt. Otherwise, meat is not a K vitamin supplier. Also, this vitamin can be found in some processed aliments like vegetal oils, such as margarine and some dressings, in fermented cheese and fermented soybean aliments.

Vitamin K should be consumed on daily basis and it should be particularly included in the children’s daily menu.

The Vitamin K Deficiency

The absence of the K vitamin from the human body can be caused by a series of medical conditions – among these, the most common are the absorption disorders (these are mainly caused by hepatic or gastro-intestinal problems). Also, the consumption of antibiotics can lead to a vitamin K deficit.

Children present other forms of vitamin K deficits. The most common manifestations are diarrhea and digestive disorders. A vitamin K deficiency can appear to newborns, as well - this deficiency usually shows a hemorrhagic disorder. In case the organism lacks the vitamin K, there can be observed various symptoms. In case of the newborns, these symptoms usually are nosebleeds, underdevelopment of the nose and mouth and shortened fingers. In case an adult lacks this vitamin, the symptoms are much more numerous: nosebleeds, anemia, internal hemorrhages, liver affections (including liver cancer), intense bleeding, easy bruising or osteoporosis.

The Role of the K Vitamin

Vitamin K is also named anti-hemorrhagic vitamin, so the main role that this particular vitamin has is to coagulate the blood. Vitamin K acts preventively against various types of bleedings and internal hemorrhages. Also, vitamin K is very efficient in the case of intense menstrual bleeding. The K vitamins have an essential role in the well functioning of the vascular wall, as they contribute to its elasticity, resistance to breaking and permeability.

The K vitamin is used in a wide range of treatments: hepatic disorders (especially cirrhosis), intoxications and infections. Also, this particular vitamin is used as a hepatic functional test. Another major role of this vitamin is the fact that it participates to the fastening of the calcium in the human organism and it metabolizes the proteins.

A new study shows the fact that the K vitamin also has a major role in the protection and strengthening of the bones (based on the fact that it coordinates the depositing of the calcium). A deficiency of K vitamin can be associated with an increased number of fractures (mostly hip fractures) that appear in the cases of elder patients. Also, it is a proven fact that the consumption of this vitamin for longer periods of time leads to the increase of the bones` density.