What is Vitamin K? In Which Foods Is It Found? Deficiency and Benefits

Vitamin K, one of the types of fat-soluble vitamins that can be stored in the body, has very important roles in blood coagulation. In case of deficiency, bleeding, coagulation disorders and related disorders related to many tissues and organs of the body may occur. Vitamin K, which has two common subtypes, K1 and K2, is found in many foods of vegetable or animal origin, especially dark green leafy vegetables.

What is Vitamin K?

Vitamins are micronutrients that have numerous regulatory roles regarding structural and functional functions in the body. Although some of them can be stored in the body up to certain amounts, a group of vitamins is completely taken from the outside through food.

Vitamin K is a type of vitamin that has important roles in blood coagulation and bone metabolism. This vitamin is necessary for the production of a protein called prothrombin, which prevents excessive bleeding by coagulating the blood and also has various functions in bone metabolism. In case of its deficiency, blood clotting time is prolonged and accordingly problems such as unexplained bleeding or excessive bleeding may develop. However, it may be necessary to reduce vitamin K intake in patients using blood thinners such as Warfarin and Coumadin due to various diseases.

Vitamin K deficiency is rare in adults. But it is very common in newborn babies. However, vitamin K deficiency may develop as a result of affecting vitamin absorption due to some chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Whatever the cause, vitamin K deficiency is a condition that needs to be corrected with vitamin supplements and treatments for underlying problems.

There are two main types of vitamin K. The first of these, vitamin K1, is called phylloquinone and is usually found in plant foods. Another type of vitamin K2, known as menaquinone, is a type of vitamin K found in foods of animal origin and fermented foods. Apart from these two types, there is also a synthetically obtained type of vitamin K called K3. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) taken into the body with plant foods is converted into K2, which is the storage form of the vitamin, by the beneficial bacteria in the intestine. Yeti Due to its rarity in adults, vitamin K intake is generally less important and researched compared to other vitamins. However, since its deficiency develops negative effects such as bleeding disorders and increased risk of diseases such as osteoporosis, healthy individuals should pay attention to vitamin K intake. It is a type of vitamin found naturally in many foods. Foods with vitamin K include:

• Vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, kale, lettuce, peas, green beans
• Soybeans and Mexican beans
• Tomato
• Turnip
• Green tea
• Asparagus
• Grains such as wheat, oats
• Milk and dairy products
• Red and white meats and types of offal such as liver, kidneys
• Eggs
• Fermented products
• Fruits and oilseeds

The above foods can be given in response to the question of what to eat in vitamin K deficiency or what are the foods containing vitamin K. While paying attention to the consumption of these foods, it should be paid attention to whether the use of blood thinners is in question.

What are the Benefits of Vitamin K?

Vitamin K has many functions in the general functioning of the body. By regulating coagulation, it brings benefits such as correct healing of wounds and prevention of excessive bleeding. Vitamin K supplements can be used to improve bleeding conditions due to excessive use of blood thinners.
Vitamin K, which has important benefits in terms of maintaining bone density and regulating bone metabolism, is a nutrient thought to be effective in preventing many diseases related to osteoporosis and bone degeneration. Since it acts as a regulator in many areas, vitamin K has important duties with its benefits to the skin. However, vitamin K, which is known to be associated with episodic memory in older adults, also has effects on strengthening cognitive functions.

The functions of vitamin K include preventing mineralization and accumulation in the veins. Therefore, when the vitamin is taken at an adequate level, It also contributes to reducing the risk of developing high blood pressure. This is very important in terms of both protection from cardiovascular diseases and the development of serious complications such as stroke, heart attack, cerebral hemorrhage.

Daily vitamin K requirement varies according to age and gender, pregnancy status and health status. However, in general, 1 mcg of vitamin K per kilogram of body mass is recommended for adults. Looking at the reference values, it can be said that the need for vitamin K decreases with age, 65 mcg daily for adult women over 25 years old and 80 mcg daily for male adults over 25 years old. Although these values ​​are average figures, they may vary according to personal factors. In addition, individuals taking Coumadin, Warfarin or a different blood thinner should reduce their vitamin K intake. In such cases, one should act according to the recommendations of the physician and unconsciously use of vitamin supplements should be avoided.

What Causes Vitamin K Deficiency?

Vitamin K deficiency is very rare. The main reasons for this situation are that the vitamin can be stored in a certain amount in the body and can be synthesized by the beneficial bacteria in the intestine. However, in some cases, vitamin K deficiency may develop due to malnutrition, diseases and various factors. Risk factors for vitamin K deficiency include:

• Use of blood thinners
• Inadequate and unbalanced nutrition
• Removal of a part of the intestines by surgery
• Presence of intestinal diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis that affect digestion and absorption
• Negative effects of intestinal flora with the use of antibiotics
• Diseases such as celiac and cystic fibrosis
• Liver and biliary tract diseases

Vitamin K deficiency in adults is very rare and usually develops in the presence of conditions such as the above. But vitamin K deficiency is quite common in newborn babies. The main reasons for this are insufficient vitamin K stores in the first period of life, the intestinal microbiota has not yet been formed, the low vitamin K content of breast milk, the mother's There are situations such as insufficient transmission of vitamin K to the baby through the placenta in the womb, and the liver not reaching sufficient maturity. For this reason, in some cases, measures such as giving vitamin K supplements to the mother before the birth or giving vitamin supplements to the baby after the birth can be taken with the recommendation of the physician. Diagnostic tests such as prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR) test can be performed in adults or infants with suspected vitamin K deficiency, and a treatment plan can be determined after diagnosis.

What are the Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency?

Vitamin K deficiency can manifest itself with a number of symptoms, especially problems with blood clotting in the body. Often the most basic symptom is excessive bleeding and difficult blood clotting over a long period of time in an area of ​​the body that has been cut or injured. However, unexplained bleeding may occur in individuals with vitamin K deficiency. Apart from these, the symptoms of vitamin K deficiency can be listed as follows:

• Easy bruising on the skin
• Black-colored or bloody stools
• The formation of red spots due to bleeding under the nails
• Bleeding in parts of the body, such as the mouth and nose, which are covered with mucous membranes
• Problems such as bleeding in the umbilical cord area in infants, delayed healing after circumcision, and continuous bleeding

In addition to the symptoms, especially in infants in whom vitamin K deficiency is common, if the necessary precautions are not taken, serious complications that can cause sudden brain hemorrhages and death may develop. In the long term, diseases seen in vitamin K deficiency may also develop. For this reason, necessary research and treatment should be done for vitamin K deficiency in newborns and especially in premature babies. causes need to be evaluated. Treatment is usually carried out with the administration of vitamin supplements containing vitamin K. These supplements can be given as oral pills or by injection. The development of vitamin deficiency due to the use of blood thinners can be considered normal. In such cases, The evaluation to be made by the treating physician is very important and behaviors such as medication changes or discontinuation should be avoided without consulting the physician.

In the case of vitamin deficiency, which is thought to develop due to inadequate and unbalanced nutrition, the patient can be informed about foods containing vitamin K and necessary changes can be made regarding the diet, together with the support of a dietitian.

In vitamin K deficiencies caused by inflammatory bowel diseases, absorption disorders or different diseases, a separate treatment plan should be created for the underlying disease in order to prevent this situation. Vitamin K excess, which may occur with the unconscious use of vitamin K supplements, can lead to serious health problems, just like vitamin deficiency. For this reason, the use of vitamin K supplements should definitely not be started without consulting a physician.

If you think you have vitamin K deficiency or if you are experiencing symptoms of vitamin K deficiency, you can apply to a health institution and have the necessary tests and examination. By detecting vitamin K deficiency and many other vitamin-mineral deficiencies at an early stage, you can prevent serious health problems and lead a healthier life. You can ask for relevant suggestions. You can use the contact form on our website to reach us.

_{Read: 24}