The Vitamin K

The description of indicative experimental avitaminosis, a chronic vitamin deficiency disorder, by Danish scientists preceded the discovery of vitamin K. Experimental avitaminosis was initially encountered through numerous hemorrhages in the muscles, subcutaneous cellular tissue, as well as other bodily tissues. It was found that the hemorrhages in experimental animals were connected with the disturbance of the coagulability of the blood. Thus, the substance which removed the said effect was dubbed the vitamin of coagulation, or Vitamin K. After some time, this vitamin was isolated from Lucerne and named phylloquinone. The basic function of vitamin K is to regulate the normal coagulation of the blood. Additionally, vitamin K increases the strength of the vascular walls. By integration into the composition of the cellular membranes, it participates in various energy processes, while normalizing the engine function of the gastrointestinal tract and the work of muscles.

Recommended dose of vitamin K: 0.2 to 0.3 mg daily.

How Vitamin K is beneficial:

Vitamin K is necessary for the formation of prothrombin —a chemical precursor—which is synthesized by the liver and contributes to coagulation of the blood. In addition to the effects mentioned in the previous section, vitamin K is useful due to its ability to:

• Prevent internal hemorrhages
• Accelerate the healing of wounds
• Strengthen the contraction of muscles
• Participate in the energy production
• Aid in the calcification of bones

Best Natural Sources of Vitamin K:

Fortunately, it is not difficult to obtain this highly beneficial vitamin. Green sheet vegetables, pumpkins, tomoatoes, green peas, egg yolk, and fish oil are excellent sources of vitamin K. In addition, vitamin K can also be found in animal liver and soybean oil.

Interaction of Vitamin K with other substances (and itself):

Ingesting excess amounts of calcium can disrupt the internal synthesis of vitamin K and prevent its normal absorption, which can lead to internal hemorrhaging. Moreover, not only can other minerals and elements interfere with regular vitamin K synthesis, but excess amounts of vitamin K actually decrease the absorption of vitamin K from the gastrointestinal tract, and can weaken the effectiveness of the vitamin.

Vitamin K Inhibtors:

X-rays radiation, aspirin, environmental pollution, and mineral oil are all incompatible to the synthesis of Vitamin K.

Signs of vitamin k insufficiency:

Because of the fact that vitamin K is synthesized by the intestinal flora, there is little risk of the onset of primary K-avitaminosis in a healthy individual. Bowel bacteria continuously produce vitamin K in small quantities, and it immediately enters the blood flow. Vitamin K can originate from both plants and animals, thus making it thermostable.

Nevertheless, since this vitamin is fat-soluble (this being its main absorption path) there must be at least a small amount of fat found in the bowels. In an adult, there remains a possibility of a secondary K- avitaminosis, which is developed when vitamin K no longer dissolves in the bowels or as a result of the and acute reduction of its endogenous synthesis by intestinal flora. Liver diseases are the most frequent reason for the secondary insufficiency of vitamin K. Secondary K- avitaminosis, however, can also occur with jaundice, due to the curtailment of the bile entering the duodenum leading to reduced rate of absorption of fat soluble substances, including vitamin K.

Signs of overabundance of vitamin K in the organism:

Even with the use of the large doses of the vitamin, side effects are extremely rarely. Nevertheless, quantities in excess of 500 mg of synthetic vitamin K (natural vitamins K1 and K2 are nontoxic) should be avoided. The introduction of very large doses of synthetic vitamin can cause toxicity, which is manifested by cyanosis of the skin and the mucous membranes, vomiting, anemia, spasms and breathing problems, all caused by the regeneration of the fatty cells in the liver and possible breakdown of the liver.