Also indexed as: Phylloquinone, Phytonadione
Vitamin K is needed for proper bone formation and blood clotting. In both cases, vitamin K
does this by helping the body transport
calcium. Vitamin K is used by doctors when treating an overdose of the drug warfarin. Also, doctors prescribe vitamin K to prevent
excessive bleeding in people taking warfarin but requiring surgery.
Where is it found?
Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, collards, and broccoli, are the best sources
of vitamin K. The greener the plant, the higher the vitamin K content.1 Other
significant dietary sources of vitamin K include soybean oil, olive oil, cottonseed oil, and
canola oil.2
Vitamin K has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be deficient?
A vitamin K deficiency, which causes uncontrolled bleeding, is rare, except in people with
certain malabsorption diseases. However, there
are reports of severe vitamin K deficiency developing in hospitalized patients who had poor
food intake and were receiving
antibiotics.3 All newborn infants receive vitamin K to prevent deficiencies
that sometimes develop in breast-fed infants.
How much is usually taken?
The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin K is about 1 mcg per 2.2 pounds of body
weight per day or about 65 to 80 mcg per day for most adults.4 This level of intake
may be achieved by consuming adequate amounts of leafy green vegetables. However, studies have
shown that many men and women aged 18 to 44 years ingest less than the recommended amount of
vitamin K.5 6
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Allergic reactions to vitamin K injections have been reported on rare
occasions.7
Vitamin K facilitates the effects of
calcium in building bone and proper blood clotting.
Are there any drug
interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with vitamin K. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.
References
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1. Kodaka K, Ujiie T, Ueno T, Saito M. Contents of vitamin K1 and
chlorophyll in green vegetables. J Jpn Soc Nutr Food Sci 1986;39:124–6.
2. Booth SL, Centurelli MA. Vitamin K: a practical guide to the dietary
management of patients on warfarin. Nutr Rev 1999;57:288–96 [review].
3. Pineo GF, Gallus AS, Hirsh J. Unexpected vitamin K deficiency in
hospitalized patients. Can Med Assoc J 1973;109:880–3.
4. Food and Nutrition Board, National Research Council. Recommended
Dietary Allowances, 10th ed. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1989.
5. Booth SL, Suttie JW. Dietary intake and adequacy of vitamin K. J
Nutr 2000;130(1S Suppl):785–8.
6. Booth SL, Webb DR, Peters JC. Assessment of phylloquinone and
dihydrophylloquinone dietary intakes among a nationally representative sample of US consumers
using 14-day food diaries. J Am Diet Assoc 1999;99:1072–6.
7. Wong DA, Freeman S. Cutaneous allergic reaction to intramuscular
vitamin K1. Australas J Dermatol 1999;40:147–52.
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