Sure, Vitamin K may not be as popular as its cousins Vitamins C and D, but that’s not to say it doesn’t play a key role in our overall health and wellness. 

What You Need to Know About Vitamin K: 

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and presents itself in two forms: phylloquinone (found in green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach) and menaquinones (found in some animal food products and fermented foods). 

This underdog of the vitamin world is present in many organs and other parts of our bodies, such as the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bones. 

Health fact: Vitamin K breaks down very quickly and is excreted in urine or stool, and because of this, it is unlikely to reach toxic levels, even with high intakes. 

Why We Need Vitamin Kin Our Lives:

• Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting. It activates the protein responsible for allowing cuts and wounds to stop bleeding.
• It supports bone metabolism by activating a protein that directs calcium into bones and teeth, making them stronger.
• A healthy heart – Vitamin K prevents hardening of the arteries by hindering calcium absorption of the lining and tissue of the heart. Calcium accumulation in arteries is harmful in large quantities and can be associated with coronary artery disease and heart failure.

Vitamin K is unique to other fat-soluble vitamins in that it circulates in small amounts before being metabolized. Due to this, we need to make sure our intake is regular, which is not always possible solely through the food we eat. This is where supplements step in. Supplements can be regulated, in the sense we know we are providing our bodies with the right amount, at the right time. 

Vitamin K: The Signs of Deficiency

It’s not common for adults to suffer from Vitamin K deficientcy, however it does happen.

Health Fact: Antibiotics can hinder the absorption and block the metabolism of Vitamin K. 

The following are the most common signs of a possible deficiency. 

• A noticeably longer time for blood to clot
• Bleeding
• Hemorrhaging
• Osteopenia or osteoporosis

Others who can benefit from Vitamin K supplementation are those with intestinal conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or Crohn’s Disease. Both these gut conditions can impair the body’s ability to absorb and produce Vitamin K. 

It all comes down to knowing what your body needs, and when it needs it. Bespoke nutrition to suit your lifestyle, and is convenient to take, is something we should all consider as part of our journey to the better side of wellness.