Benefits of Vitamin K and deficiency

There are two naturally occurring forms of vitamin K— vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 and falls under the category of fat-soluble vitamins. But here is something strange and important about this nutrient that distinguishes it from other vitamins. Your body can produce this vitamin with the help of the bacteria that inhabit in you intestine.

Vitamin K is best known for its role in helping blood clot properly, and in preventing excessive bleeding. It also plays an important role in bone health. Recent studies have shown that vitamin K may help in making our bones stronger and thus prevent osteoporosis. It aids our body in absorbing calcium, which is crucial mineral that keeps our bones strong and healthy. Vitamin K is used by doctors when treating an overdose of the drug warfarin.

Benefits of vitamin K for us are:
- Vitamin K helps the body absorb the beneficial mineral calcium.
- Vitamin K also prevents the hardening of the arteries, which aids in preventing heart disease and heart failure.
- Vitamin K can help prevent or treat osteoporosis and the loss of bone density.
- Vitamin K also has preventive and treatment benefits for cancer.
- Vitamin K plays a role that prevents this accumulation of calcium and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Deficiency of vitamin K cause unusual bleeding (gums, nose, or gastrointestinal tract), unexplained bruising and Eye hemorrhages.

Green vegetables are among the highest in Vitamin K content, with kale, turnip greens, broccoli and spinach heading the list. Cabbage, green beans and parsley are also included on the list of foods that are high in Vitamin K. You’ll also find that strawberries are a moderately high source of Vitamin K, as are dill pickles.

If you are already on anti-coagulants, you need to consult your doctor before you decide to start taking vitamin K supplements. The reason is the fact that both vitamin K and other anti-coagulants help our blood to clot, it is not a good idea to have excess of this nutrient in you body.