10 Facts About Vitamin K

There are times when Vitamin K is good for you....and times when it is not depending upon certain health issues you may be experiencing...we'll cover that in this post...a continuation of a series on Vitamins I have been posting about on occasion.

Here are some facts about Vitamin K:

1. Vitamin K is necessary for the formation of certain proteins that are called "clotting factors" which as the name indicates, regulate the ability of the blood to clot.
2. There are also factors that are important in the formation of proper bone mineralization and the health of the teeth.
3. Some with Crohn's disease and gastrointestinal disorders are benefited by vitamin K.
4. It is rare to be deficient in Vitamin K because it is manufactured by bacteria present in the intestines...another "good" bacteria when  the intestinal system is working properly and in balance.
5. Symptoms of deficiency (many of these symptoms can indicate other things, too, so see your doctor if you have them) include hemorrhages such as bloody urine, blood in stools, nosebleeds and in pregnant women, miscarriages...but again, different things can cause these symptoms so see your doctor.
6. Studies suggest that perhaps men and women aged eighteen to forty-four regularly consume less than the RDA of Vitamin K.
7. Most Vitamin and Mineral Supplements do not contain Vitamin K as enough is available in the diet...Vitamin K is high in green vegetables, a reason why those on blood thinners are often told to limit their greens.
8. RDA for Women is 65 mcg. and 80 mcg. for men
9. Contraindications - If you are taking anti-coagulants for any reason...like Coumadin and similar drugs that the doctor gives you to keep blood from forming clots, be sure to get instructions from the doctor regarding Vitamin K, generally it should be avoided but to what degree, this is up to your doctor.
10. Vitamin K is a Fat Soluble vitamin