There are two different types of vitamin K, which is a fat-soluble vitamin. The primary kind is phylloquinone, which is present in green leafy vegetables like collard greens, kale, and spinach. The production of numerous proteins necessary for blood clotting and bone growth is aided by this vitamin. Blood clotting is directly aided by this vitamin-dependent protein thrombin. Everything you wanted to know about Vitamin K-
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What Is Vitamin K? What Are The Functions Of Vitamin K?
The body needs the vitamin K group of vitamins for blood clotting, which aids in the healing of wounds. Blood clotting and bone growth require a number of different proteins, which this vitamin aids in the production of. An essential protein for blood clotting, thrombin is dependent on vitamin K. Another protein that depends on vitamin K for the development of strong bone tissue is osteocalcin.
The liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bones are just a few of the organs in the body where this vitamin may be found. It decomposes relatively quickly and is eliminated through stool or urine. Because of this, even at large intakes, it rarely reaches dangerous levels in the body, as can occasionally happen with other fat-soluble vitamins.
How much vitamin K do I need? What Are The Recommended Amounts?
Each kilogramme of body weight in adults requires roughly 1 microgram of this vitamin per day. For instance, a person who weighs 65 kg would require 65 micrograms of this vitamin daily, whereas a person who weighs 75 kg would require 75 micrograms daily.
The difference between a milligramme and a microgram is 1,000. (mg). Sometimes the Greek letter and the letter g (g) are used to represent the word microgram. Eating a varied and balanced diet should allow you to acquire all this vitamin you require. You do not require this vitamin in your food every day since your body stores any extra amounts for later use in the liver.
AI: When sufficient data are lacking to determine a Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), an “adequate intake” (AI) is utilized (RDA). To provide enough nutrition, the amount of AI is estimated. The daily AI for the vitamin in people aged 19 and older is 90 micrograms (mcg) for women, and 120 mcg for men who are pregnant or nursing.
What happens if I take too much vitamin K?
The consequences of taking high doses of this vitamin supplements daily are unknown because there is not enough data to support them.
What Are The Food Sources Of Vitamin K?
Green leafy foods, such as broccoli and spinach, and vegetable oils are sources of vitamin K.
Breakfast grains
Dairy and meat products may also contain trace amounts.
Deficiency Of Vitamin K
Adults who lack this vitamin are rare, but it can happen if they use antibiotics or other drugs that block this vitamin metabolism, or if they have medical issues that prevent them from absorbing food and nutrients properly.
Due to the fact that this vitamin does not pass the placenta and breast milk only contains a small amount of it, newborn babies are also susceptible to insufficiency. If its supplements are not given to neonates, their risk of bleeding increases due to insufficient blood clotting proteins at birth. The most typical symptoms of a deficit are as follows.
- A prothrombin time that is prolonged or blood that takes longer to clot, as determined by a doctor’s office test
- Bleeding
- Hemorrhaging
- Osteoporosis or osteopenia
Toxicity Of Vitamin K In Case Of Excess Of Vitamin K
It is extremely uncommon to become poisonous to this vitamin. Menadione, which is useless to humans, is the sole substance whose toxicity has been documented. Its water-soluble characteristics are thought to be related to its toxicity. When toxicity does occur, it shows itself as jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia, hemolytic anemia, and kernicterus in babies.
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