Vitamin K

With a highly precise and specific role in the body, vitamin K is responsible for the protein synthesis required for blood clotting; with the fat soluble vitamin K, blood coagulation could not be possible. There are two forms of vitamin K, known as K1 and K2: the former is produced by plants, whereas the latter is the product of bacterial action. Thus, vitamin K is naturally occurring in the human digestive tract where colonies of bacteria produce it. With uncontrolled clotting being a life-threatening issue, it goes without saying that the importance of vitamin K is vital for the proper functioning of the system.

Naturally occurring in plenty of green leaves and fruits, vitamin K may often interfere with the administration of certain anti-blood clotting medications such as Warfarin. It is well known that specific heart conditions show symptoms of increased blood viscosity, and this is when anticoagulant drugs are prescribed by the doctor. An increased intake of vitamin K would therefore interact and possibly neutralize the medical effects of Warfarin. Consequently, do not start any medical treatment without informing the doctor on any vitamin supplements you may be using. On the other hand, make sure that you learn as much as possible on the side effects and food interactions specific to certain medicines.

The human body has a very low vitamin K storage capacity, this means that the substance doesn't accumulate in the system, and once it is suppressed from diet, all the reserves will be depleted. A balanced diet is usually enough to ensure the quantity of vitamin K necessary for proper system functionality. Studies have also revealed that it has an important role in bone mineralization, as it has been found in soft tissues, cartilages and bones too; the role vitamin K plays here is the same protein processing without which normal bone growth and development would not be possible.

Vitamin K deficiency is followed by easy bruising and an improper blood coagulation. Bleeding gums, nosebleeds, blood in stools and urine are the most common of the manifestations, not to mention that women can experience incredibly heavy menstrual bleeding. The direct consequence of such medical conditions is the risk of developing anemia; yet, vitamin K deficiency is pretty uncommon, at least with adults, since it is so easy to find in regular meals. Breastfed babies are usually the most exposed to such a deficiency since human milk has a very low content of vitamin K.