All About Vitamins

Vitamin K
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Why vitamin K is good for you

Vitamin K is needed to make the blood clots that quickly stop the bleeding whenever injury occurs. This fat-soluble vitamin comes in three forms:

All Vitamin K ends up in the liver, where it is used to make some of the substances that make the blood clot.

Vitamin K also has an important role in building bones - it is needed to keep the calcium in the bones and make sure it is getting to the right place.

 

Important vitamin K facts

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Groups at risk of vitamin K deficiency

As a rule, vitamin K deficiency is rare – almost everyone gets enough from their own bacteria or their food. When adults get Vitamin K deficiency, it is generally because they eat very few green vegetables or because they have been taking oral antibiotics for a long time. Sometimes vitamin K deficiency is caused by liver disease or a problem digesting fat.

Deficient of vitamin K occurs in:

Talk to a medical professional about Vitamin K supplements BEFORE taking them.

 

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Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency

 

Main signs of vitamin K deficiency are:

  • Blood clots very slowly, bleeding occurs for a long time from small injuries
  • Blood in the urine
  • Intestinal bleeding
  • Nose-bleeds
  • Small bruises cause big black-blue marks that heal very slowly

 

Vitamin K and health

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Vitamin K in food

FOOD AMOUNT
Vitamin K (mcg)
Turnip greens, raw
½ cup
182
Cauliflower, raw
½ cup
96
Beef, liver
85g
89
Soybean oil
1 tsp
76
Spinach, raw
½ cup
74
Broccoli, raw
½ cup
58
Cabbage, raw
½ cup
52
Tomato, raw
1 medium
28
Egg
1 large
25
Strawberries
1 cup
21
Milk, skim
1 cup
10
Wheatgerm
28g
10

 

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Vitamin K recommended daily intake (RDI)

RDA lifestage age Amount
  INFANTS 0-6mths
7-12mths
2.0mcg
2.5mcg
  CHILDREN 1-3yrs
4-8yrs
8mcg
12mcg
  CHILDREN 9-13yrs
14-18yrs
20mcg
25mcg
  ADULTS 19-50yrs
30mcg
  SENIORS 51+yrs 30mcg
  PREGNANT   30mcg
  LACTATING   35mcg
 
TOLERABLE UPPER LIMIT
none established
 
TOXIC LEVELS essentially non-toxic


The tolerable upper limits should only be taken for short periods and only under medical supervision.

 

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Vitamin K works best with

Dietary fat is necessary for the absorption of this vitamin

Vitamin K also works well with if eaten with some leafy dark green vegetables.

Vitamin K also works best with:

 

Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for vitamin K

Toxicity does not easily occur with normal dietary intake of this vitamin, but can happen if the synthetic compound vitamin K3 is taken. High to toxic uptake in the synthetic form can cause flushing and sweating, but jaundice and anaemia may also develop.

Any more than 100mcg in the synthetic form of vitamin K could be toxic and damage the liver. Talk to a medical professional about supplements made with phytonadione, a water-soluble version of Vitamin K1, the supplement least likely to cause toxicity.

CAUTION

People taking any type of medication should talk to a medical professional about Vitamin K supplements BEFORE taking them.



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references

 

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Last reviewed: 1 August 2020 || Last updated: 1 August 2020

 

NOTE: Mega doses of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or other supplements cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of nutrient supplement.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.

 

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