Vitamin K is a vitamin that acts in the liver to form prothrombin that acts as a clotting agent in the blood.  A deficiency of Vitamin K causes a condition called, “hypoprothombinemia”. This deficiency can cause defective coagulation of the blood that can result in hemorrhage

I have written on 3 minerals that are extremely important to the health of your body. They were calcium, potassium and magnesium. Of the 3, calcium is the one that most people are familiar with, and that is why it is given the most attention, so that most individuals will supplement their diet with calcium. However, vitamin K I believe is given less attention by the average individual, even if they are very much interested in their vitamins to maintain a healthy body.

The Danish scientist Henrik Dem first identified Vitamin K in 1929 while he was experimenting with cholesterol. He found that this vitamin was important as a blood-clotting agent. The reports of his discovery were written in German scientific journals as the “Koagulationsvitamin”, hence the name Vitamin K.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and has 2 substructures as Vitamin K1 and K2. There is also a synthesized Vitamin K3 that has been found to have toxic properties, however, that is not the case with the natural Vitamin K1 and K2. Therefore, when taking a Vitamin K supplement, it is important that we make sure it is the natural form. The thinking in the medical community is that most people do not have a Vitamin K deficiency. That may not be the case because of the individual’s lifestyle and habits. Vitamin K deficiencies can be caused by poor dietary habits, drinking alcohol that will have an effect on the liver, and taking too many antibiotics that will affect the natural flora of the intestines and that will affect the absorption of Vitamin K. Taking salicylates and barbiturates can have the same affect. Other affects can be certain diseases and conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, abdominal surgeries, and any other factor that will destroy the natural flora of the bowel. The natural aging process can also have a profound affect on the natural absorption of Vitamin K in the body. As we grow older these natural absorption processes become greatly decreased. There has also been some controversy as to another beneficial affect that Vitamin K may have. The medical profession has mostly ignored the possibility that Vitamin K may prove to be helpful in preventing muscle spasms. I personally, have found it helpful.

CAUTION:CAnyone taking Coumadin (Warfarin) or other anticoagulants 

                       should not take a vitamin K supplement without discussing this

                       with their healthcare provider. They should also inform their

                       healthcare provider of any other vitamins or herbs, as they too

                       may interact with any medications they may be taking. Speaking

                       with a Pharmacist can also be very helpful in this respect.

With the proper diet, there should be no need to take Vitamin K as a supplement, unless the individual has a disease or condition that will prevent the intestines from normally absorbing the Vitamin K. In that instance it may be necessary to take larger amounts as an added supplement to your diet. Read below in health hints as what a proper diet should consist of, and the things that will interfere with getting a normal daily amount of the needed Vitamin K.

Health Hints***

 · Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, as this can cause liver problems that

    decrease your daily requirements of Vitamin K.

 · Do not take antibiotics for the ordinary cold, or for any other reason if you

    can possibly avoid them.

 ·  Avoid taking over-the-counter salicylates or medications containing

     barbiturates.

 · There are particular foods that have high concentrations of Vitamin K and

    should be included in your diet on a daily basis. Try to pick at least 2 or 3  

    from this food group to use daily:

      Kale, mustard greens, spinach, Brussels sprouts, green beans, Swiss chard,

      turnip greens, peas, okra, celery, rhubarb, green leafy vegetables, and some

      fruits, such as grapes, kiwi and avocado.

Incorporating a few of these foods in your daily diet will provide the needed daily requirement of vitamin K, unless there is a problem with its absorption as mentioned above.

Doc Cane        

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