Role of Vitamin K in the body

What is vitamin K? (1)

Vitamin K was discovered in 1929 as an essential nutrient for blood clotting. It is the scientific term for blood clotting. The initial discovery was published in a German scientific journal, Where he called it “Koagulationsvitamin”. Hence the vitamin K found in Vitamin K.

There are two main types of vitamin K:

1. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone): Found in plant foods such as leafy vegetables
2. Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone): It is found in animal foods and fermented foods, It is also produced by intestinal bacteria. Vitamin K2 can be divided into several different subtypes. The most important of which are the MK-4 and MK-7.

How do vitamins K1 and K2 work? (1)

Vitamin K activates proteins that play a role in blood clotting, calcium metabolism, and heart health. One of its most important functions is regulating calcium deposition. in another meaning, It promotes bone calcification and prevents calcification of blood vessels and kidneys

The role of vitamin K in the body: (1) (2) (3) (4)

1. Vitamin K2 intake is strongly associated with a lower risk of heart disease.
2. Vitamin K2 plays an essential role in bone metabolism. Studies indicate that it can help prevent osteoporosis and fractures.
3. It is thought that vitamin K2 may play an important role in dental health.
4. Studies have found that vitamin K2 may help improve the lives of liver cancer patients.
5. Vitamin K helps produce four of the thirteen proteins needed for blood clotting. This prevents wounds from continuing to bleed so they can heal

How to get the vitamin K2 you need: (1)

1. Your body can partially convert vitamin K1 to K2. This is beneficial because the amount of vitamin K1 in a typical diet is nine times the amount of vitamin K2. However, Only 10-15% of ingested vitamin K1 is absorbed in the digestive tract. Therefore the actual absorbed K1 constitutes about 50% of the total vitamin K in the diet.
2. Gut bacteria in the large intestine also produce vitamin K2. Some evidence suggests that broad-spectrum antibiotics contribute to K2 deficiency.
3. Vitamin K2 is found primarily in some animal and fermented foods. Which most people don’t eat much
4. Rich animal sources include high-fat dairy products from grass-fed cows and egg yolks, In addition to liver and other organ meats

Signs of deficiency (2)

Vitamin K deficiency in adults is rare. But it may occur in people who take medications that inhibit the metabolism of vitamin K, such as antibiotics. Or in those who suffer from conditions that cause poor absorption of food and nutrients. Deficiency is also possible in newborns because vitamin K does not cross the placenta. Breast milk contains a low amount. The limited amount of blood clotting proteins at birth increases the risk of bleeding in infants if they are not given vitamin K supplements.

 Here are the most common signs of deficiency: (2)

1. Bleeding.
2. Long time for blood to clot.
3. Osteoporosis.

Although vitamin K deficiency is uncommon, However, the cases most susceptible to this are: (3)

• Having a disease that affects absorption in the digestive system, Such as Crohn’s disease or active celiac disease
• Taking medications that interfere with the absorption of vitamin K
• People suffering from severe malnutrition
• Drink alcohol a lot

How much vitamin K should you take? (3)

Below are the recommended adequate amounts of vitamin K to take: Whether from food or other sources. Most people get enough vitamin K from their diets.

• Babies 0-6 months: 2 mcg/day
• Children 7-12 months: 2.5 micrograms/day
• Children 1-3: 30 mcg/day
• Children 4-8: 55 mcg/day
• Children 9-13: 60 mcg/day
• Girls 14-18: 75 mcg/day
• Women 19 and over: 90 mcg/day
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women (19-50): 90 mcg/day
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (under 19 years): 75 mcg/day
• Boys 14-18: 75 mcg/day
• Men 19 and over: 120 mcg/day

There have been no harmful effects of vitamin K with levels found in food or supplements. But this does not negate the danger of high doses. Researchers did not determine the maximum safe dose.

comments: (1) (2) (4)

1. Vitamin K has a very low potential for toxicity. This is why there is no specific tolerable level (UL) for vitamin K. There is no known toxicity of vitamin K1 or K2 from food or supplements.
2. People taking blood-thinning medications such as warfarin are advised to keep their vitamin K intake constant and avoid large amounts of vitamin K-rich foods or large fluctuations in vitamin K intake. This is because sudden increases in vitamin K may interact with the medication. Which leads to increased or decreased blood clotting.
3. Because vitamin K is fat-soluble, It is best to eat foods containing vitamin K with some fat to improve absorption
4. Antibiotic medications may destroy vitamin K-producing bacteria in the intestines. Thus potentially reducing vitamin K levels, Especially if you take the medication for more than a few weeks. People who experience poor appetite during long-term antibiotic use may be at greater risk of deficiency. They may benefit from vitamin K supplements.
5. Cholesterol-lowering medications interfere with fat absorption. Dietary fats are essential for the absorption of vitamin K. So people taking this medication may be at greater risk of deficiency.
6. anticonvulsants, If taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, It can increase the risk of vitamin K deficiency in the fetus or newborn. Examples of anticonvulsants include phenytoin and Dilantin.

Prepared by: Dalal idris

References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-k2
2. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-k/#:~:text=Vitamin%20K%20helps%20to%20make,to%20produce%20healthy%20bone%20tissue.
3. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
4. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219867