Vitamin K Are you getting enough? By Ujan Talukdar and Jack Vaudo.

Vitamin KAre you getting enough?

By Ujan Talukdar and Jack Vaudo

The National Importance of Vitamin K

According to Harvard School of Public Health, “national data suggests that only one in four Americans meet the goal of Vitamin K intake from food.”

What is Vitamin K?

The K in Vitamin K came from German word “koagulation” which signifies its critical role in healthy blood clotting.

Vitamin K is stored in fat tissue and liver and it’s a fat-soluble vitamin.

Chemical structureThere are two major types of vitamin K.

Both of them consist of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

The first type is called phylloquinone (K1), which is made by plants. The chemical structure is shown in the diagram on the right.

The second type of Vitamin K is called menaquinone (K2), made by bacteria. The diagram of menaquinone is shown on the right.

There are other minor types of Vitamin K as well, such as K3, K4, etc.

The Importance of Vitamin K

The major functions of Vitamin K are:

Stops bleeding by forming blood clots

Protecting bones from fracture

Preventing certain types of cancer and

Improving brain function

Where To Find Vitamin K

In human body, Large Intestines harbors bacteria, which produce Vitamin K among other compounds.

Vitamin K is also found in different foods.

Foods Rich in Vitamin K

Vitamin K can be found in most green vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, asparagus, cabbage, lettuce, and pickled cucumbers.

Vitamin K is also found in strawberries and eggs.

What May Cause Vitamin K Deficiency

Antibiotics used to fight any infection can destroy the good bacteria, living in large intestines. As a result, the human body may not be able to produce enough Vitamin K when taking antibiotics.

Some Symptoms of deficiency

Delayed stop in bleeding;

Increased tendencies towards nose bleeding and gum bleeding;

Brittle bones

Some side effect of overdose of Vitamin K

• People may suffer from heart disease, as well as kidney disease from overdose of Vitamin K.

Check Your Vitamin K Level

Eat Green Vegetables, eggs, strawberries

And if still not enough then

Get Vitamin K Supplements

Be Healthy! It seems from the Harvard study that 75% of Americans aren’t eating healthy.

Bibliographyhttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-983-VITAMIN%20K.aspx?activeIngredientId=983&activeIngredientName=VITAMIN%20K

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-k/

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/lifestyle-guide-11/supplement-guide-vitamin-k

http://www.bozemanwellnesscenter.com/the-many-health-benefits-of-vitamin-k/

http://www.nutristrategy.com/nutrition/vitamink.htm

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/vitamins-minerals/the-function-of-vitamin-k.html#b

http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/nutrition/vitamin-k/overview.html

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112