Vitamin K Definition And All About
When blood is difficult to freeze after injury, there could be something wrong with the blood clotting protein called prothrombin. In a broader sense, it is likely we are to experience conditions of deficiency of vitamin K in the body. You see, this vitamin is responsible for the proper functioning of some of the blood clotting protein in the body. This vitamin can be produced in the gut and there are two natural forms, namely K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). The first comes from the plant while the latter is synthesized by bacteria in the colon. Form of synthetic or man-made vitamin is called menadione.
Vitamin K belonged to the fat-soluble vitamins. This vitamin can be found in many foods, such as spinach, broccoli, soybeans, wheat cereal, and vegetable oils. Adequate intake of vitamin K plays an important role in the process of blood clotting and bone health. Vitamin K deficiency can occur at any age, but babies have a higher risk to experience it. This deficiency can lead to bleeding that is difficult to stop. Prevention and handling is done by giving supplements of vitamin K.
Vitamin K deficiency is very rare since this vitamin is synthesized in the intestine. People who increased risk of vitamin K deficiency include those suffering from liver damage, people with cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease or those who just had surgery. Some of the vitamin K deficiency symptoms such as heavy bleeding due to bleeding continues and in extreme cases can suffer from anemia.
If vitamin K is not contained in the body, the blood can not clot. This can cause bleeding or hemorrhagic. However, vitamin K deficiency is rare, because most people get it from bacteria in the gut and from food. But shortages can occur in infants because their digestive system is sterile and does not contain bacteria that can synthesize vitamin K, breast milk contains only small amounts of vitamin K. For that babies are given a vitamin K at birth.
In adults, a deficiency can occur because of the lack of consumption of vegetable or antobiotik taking too long. Antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria in the gut which produce vitamin K. Sometimes vitamin K deficiency caused by liver disease or digestive problems.
What does Vitamin K do
Below are some of vitamin K function:
Helps in blood coagulation: Vitamin K helps the function of a protein that helps blood clot. Without the blood clotting mechanism may be due to a small injury can experience prolonged bleeding. Also, when too much blood clot (even when not injured), a blood clot can block the blood vessels that serve the opposite. Vitamin K freeze the blood at the right level.
Protect the heart: Calcium causes the tissue to harden and stops functioning properly. Arteriosclerosis showed hardening of the arteries due to the deposition of calcium in the lining of blood vessels occupied cholesterol. People may menderia heart attack due to arterial calcification. Vitamin K keeps calcium out of the arteries and prevent the progression of the condition.
Strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis: Vitamin K as an essential nutrient for bone health. Vitamin K helps bone to bind calcium. Some research suggests vitamin K indirectly regulate calcium binding capacity osetocalcin, a protein needed to bind calcium bone matrix. The amount of vitamin K are not sufficient to lower bone density and strength. If this continues vitamin deficiency, which can lead to osteoporosis is characterized by bone fragility. A study showed that a diet low in vitamin K may be associated with higher rates of hip fractures and osteoporosis in the elderly and in postmenopausal women.
Daily doses of Vitamin K
In general, the dose for treating vitamin K deficiency in adults is 10-40 mg per day. Determination of the dose depends on the severity of the patient's deficiency and the body's response to supplemental doses of vitamin K. For infants and children, ask your doctor. The dose of vitamin K in handling the bleeding will be determined by the doctor who handled the case at the hospital.
Below are recommended Vitamin K intake based on nlm.nih.gov:
Infants- 0 - 6 months: 2.0 micrograms per day (mcg/day)
- 7 - 12 months: 2.5 mcg/day
- 1 - 3 years: 30 mcg/day
- 4 - 8 years: 55 mcg/day
- 9 - 13 years: 60 mcg/day
- Males and females age 14 - 18: 75 mcg/day
- Males and females age 19 and older: 90 mcg/day
Sources of vitamin K
To meet the needs of vitamin K is quite easy because besides the amount is relatively small, our digestive systems contain bacteria that are able to synthesize vitamin K, which is partly absorbed and stored in the liver. But once the body also needs to get extra vitamin K from food (read at vitamin K foods).
Identify Side Effects and Dangers of Vitamin K
If consumed with the recommended dose, vitamin K supplements generally do not cause side effects. In some minor cases, the consumption of excessive vitamin K supplements can lead to anemia and jaundice. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms that indicate one of the disease. Be sure to read the ingredients contained in each medicine. Do not take more than one supplement containing vitamin C at the same time to avoid overdose.
Warning:
- Women who are trying to become pregnant, have just given birth or are breastfeeding should ask a doctor before taking supplements of vitamin K.
- Ask dose for infants and children to the doctor.
- Please be careful taking supplements of vitamin K when using anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin, suffering from vitamin E deficiency, deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), renal impairment, and liver disorders.
- In case of allergy or overdose, immediately consult a physician.
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