The Vitamin K Element

There are a number of Vitamins that range from Vitamin A to K. Vitamins are found in all fruits and vegetables. These vitamins vary in their solubility: some are fat soluble whilst others are water soluble. Vitamin K is found in the fat soluble group. Vitamin K is vital for helping the blood to clot in the event of an injury. It is also an essential element in the protection against certain diseases such as cancer and osteoporosis as well as in the healing of wounds. There are some proteins that are posttranslationally modified by the vitamin. The element is found in all green leaf vegetables like vegetables in the Brassica family, spinach and fruits like kiwifruits and avocados. A normal adult should take 120 micrograms of Vitamin K per day

Vitamin K comes in two natural forms. Vitamin K1 also known as phylloquinone is the chief dietary form and can be found in most vegetables. The other form is Vitamin K2; also termed menaquinone is mostly formed in the intestine by certain types of bacteria. It can also be derived from eggs, dairy and meat. There is another synthetic form of Vitamin K- the K3 or meanquinone. This type of the K vitamin is formed by friendly bacteria in the intestines.

A deficiency in Vitamin K is rare. However the body can be prohibited from receiving sufficient amounts of the elements medications, diseases and injuries. Medications such as antibiotics adversely affect the bacteria in the intestine, which will in turn lead to less production of the vitamin. Other drugs have a blocking effect on the action of Vitamin K enzymes which will lead to reduced concentrations. Formation of clots will not be easily activated because of the absence of a chemical known as the gamma-caroxyglutamate or simply the Gla. During such times, one can take supplements.

New-born babies and elderly people are the ones who do not get sufficient doses of the vitamin. Breast milk has low levels of Vitamin K. Thus breast feeding women have to eat a lot of greens or take supplements to boost K levels in milk. Some countries give new born babies an oral dosage of Vitamin K. this tides them over until they are eight days old when they start producing minute quantities of Vitamin K. Vitamin K also prevents a rare disease known as the haemorrhagic disease (HDN). According to research, vitamin K is not easily formed in the intestines of the elderly. They tend to take medications and may have poor eating habits, which will suppress the production of the vitamin.

Although the major function of Vitamin K is the coagulation of blood, it also plays a crucial role in the building and strengthening of bones. The element tends to direct the calcium to the part that need it and retain it. There have been studies carried out that show that Vitamin K reduces the risk of advanced prostate cancer in men and of some cancers and bone fractures in post menopausal women.