The generic term for vitamin K is phylloquinone.it is a compound of vitamin k1 and K2.it belongs to the group of fat soluble vitamins along with vitamin A,D and E.it is also known as a “blood clotting”vitamin. There are enough valid reasons behind calling it so. This vitamin helps in the synthesis for the proteins that coagulate the blood. Blood coagulation is or clotting is the process of turning the liquid form of blood into gel. There are three essential steps of coagulation which follows as: activation, adhesion and aggregation of the blood platelets. The procedure starts immediately after the damage of blood vessels through external injury. The main function of vitamin k here is to produce prothrombin which is solely a vitamin k dependent protein and is necessary for the coagulation process. It activates the proteins and enables them to bind the surfaces of the cell membranes.
The service of vitamin k is not restricted within the clotting of blood. Modern researches have shown that vitamin k is also an important factor associated with the health of the bones.so, how does vitamin k enhance the condition of the bones? It promotes the increase in the density of minerals in the bones. Minerals heal the pores in the bones making them strong. Thus, the chances of osteoporosis are slashed down. Calcium is necessary for the metabolism and mineralization of the bones. Vitamin k balances the level of calcium in the body and eases the path of its assimilation in the body. This vitamin is used for the treatment for broken bones as well.
Foods that contain vitamin k
Foods that are high in vitamin k are available in large numbers from the very own pantry of nature. Dried herbs such as basil, thyme, coriander leaves provide 10% of the regular vitamin need. People who eat green salad that consists of lettuce, spring onions, spinach are found to have great bone density. From the spice section, red chili powder, cayenne pepper, curry powder is powerful sources of clotting vitamin.
Chewing fennel seeds or using it in cooking, cooked asparagus might also help you to meet the recommended amount of vitamin k dose.Soya beans, olive oil are also wonderful for blood and bones. Other than these, the tree doppelganger broccoli (frozen or cooked), horseradish, chicken are also finely fortified edibles. Now-a-days baby foods are enriched with vitamin K by the manufacturers to curb the vitamin k deficiency among the infants.
K vitamin deficiency causes & symptoms
The deficiency of vitamin k in the body may arise from several situations. It is an extremely rare case when the root of the deficiency syndrome is inability to intake it through dietary supplements. It is because the body requires a very minimal dose of this vitamin for certain purposes. Among one of the most prominent reasons, pathetic liver conditions comes at first. In the body, vitamin k, which is soluble only in fat, needs lipid (a form of fat) absorption to commence its own absorption. In normal condition, liver synthesizes the bile acids which help in the digestion of lipids in the small intestine.When the liver is in an adverse condition, bile salt synthesis is disrupted. This ultimately ends up in the malabsorption of vitamin K.That’s not all; the factors that control the coagulation of blood get synthesized in the liver. So, liver disease will affect the blood clotting which is a result of vitamin k deficiency.
As stated above, the bile acids synthesize the lipids exclusively in the small intestines. Any disease or ulcer in the intestines will also shun the process of vitamin absorption. In animals, excessive use of rodenticides is also known to deduce the efficiency of vitamin k in the body. If a pet animal such as dog or cat accidentally swallows a rodenticide, it may bleed to get if not treated immediately.
Symptoms
It has become evident that vitamin k is the best coagulant present naturally in the foods. If a person is going through any of the factors that promote the lack of this vitamin, might face some of the fatal symptoms induced by it. When the blood coagulation is impaired, the blood fails to turn into gel. Thence the path of the cessation of bleeding is blocked and the injured person may have tremendous blood loss for this. He or she can even bleed to death. Minor shortage will delay the process of tissue repair and the injury will consume a lot of time to heal.
Result of vitamin k deficiency might prove to be deadly for the children. The consequence can be permanent damage of brain or hemorrhage. Inadequacy of this vitamin will also have a negative impact on the growth of bones. The risk of osteoporosis will be accelerated when the bone density will hit low.
