Vitamin K is found in green plants in the form of vitamin K1 called phytomenadion. The form produced by intestinal bacteria is vitamin K2 which is called menaquinone. There is also a synthetic form of vitamin K which should not be used as a supplement.
The "K" is derived from the German word "koagulation". Lack of vitamin K can cause easy bruising and bleeding, prolonged menstrual bleeding, and ineffective wound healing. Vitamin K deficiency may indicate impaired intestinal function.
Vitamin K contributes to the construction of bones and thereby to the prevention of osteoporosis through increasing the ability of the bone tissue to bind calcium.
Vitamin K also seems to be an important factor in preventing atherosclerosis. In case of vitamin K deficiency, efforts should be made to maintain a healthy intestinal flora, so that the body's own production of vitamin K can be re-established. The fastest way to do so is by taking a supplement of beneficial lactic acid bacteria and lots of vegetables - cabbage in particular.
Some studies have demonstrated that vitamin K is important in the fight against cancer as it improves the liver function and reduces the growth of the cancer cells.
Breast milk does not contain very large amounts of vitamin K and infants do not produce vitamin K themselves until their intestinal flora has been established.
Serious vitamin K deficiency is rare, but poor nutrition and fat free diets can cause deficiency states. Intestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease and Colitis ulcerosa can cause serious deficiency states and liver disease. You can also become deficient in vitamin K when taking broad spectrum antibiotics, anticoagulants, cholesterol medicine, laxatives, and aspirin.
Moreover, studies indicate that vitamin K is important to the pancreatic regulation of the blood sugar and that it is a constituent of the chemistry of the brain in a way that may protect against Alzheimer's disease.
Natural vitamin K is non-toxic in large doses and is generally not accumulated in the body.
Even though vitamin K is not considered a vitamin of which we are usually in short supply, many people seem to benefit from a daily supplement.
Preventative dosage
Adults: 70 - 3000 mcg. a day.
Therapeutic, temporary dosage
Infants: 1000 mcg. a week for 3 months.
Adults: 10,000 - 20,000 mcg. a day.
Warnings
People who are being treated with blood diluting medicine should not take vitamin K supplements without their doctor's consent.
Vitamin K supplements should not be taken in higher doses than 70 mcg. during pregnancy or while breast feeding without a doctor's consent.
