In essence, the vitamin K is a vitamin, which is part of a group of fat-soluble naphthoquinones, which favors the proper functioning of certain proteins, including those that form and maintain our bones and promote blood clotting.
There are different forms of vitamin K:
- Vitamin K1: or phytonadione, that is the natural form of vitamin K;
- Vitamin K2: ie menaquinones, which are produced by bacteria in the human gut (the quantity produced does not meet the requirements;
- Vitamin K3: menadione ie, the synthetic version for patients who can not take advantage of natural vitamin.
Vitamin K is known for the benefits it brings to the health of the body:
- cure bleeding disorders by promoting blood clotting;
- It prevents osteoporosis because it increases bone density, in fact, prevent bone resorption which is why seniors should enrich;
- It prevents disorders of bleeding and thrombotic events in anticoagulant therapy;
- it is important for the good functioning of the liver and to prevent hepatic cirrhosis.
It must be said that vitamin D and calcium supplements can intensify the beneficial effects of vitamin K.
Uses not established vitamin K: Cancer Prevention, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and prevention of hepatitis C.
The absorption of vitamin K occurs in the upper intestinal tract with the help of bile and bile salts, it is then transported to the liver where it is stored.
Some factors may interfere with the absorption as:
- l 'obstruction of the common bile duct;
- failure to secretion of bile salt;
- the low production of bile;
- the presence of an anticoagulant that reduces the activity of prothrombin in plasma;
- radiation ragi X;
- aspirin;
- pollution;
- excessive use of drugs such as antibiotics, heparin, warfarin and coumadin.
Vitamin K: the daily requirement
As for adults the recommended daily dose is 80 micro grams for men and for women 65 micro grams, in case of shortage from 50 to 100 milligrams under medical supervision.
As for children, the recommended dose for a 1 year old baby is 10 micro grams per day, 15 micro grams to 3 years, from 4 to 6 years is 20 micro grams, from 7 to 10 years 30 micro grams.
For adolescents the recommended dose is: males aged 11 to 14 years is 45 micro grams; 15 to 18 is 65 micro grams, aged 19 to 24, 70 micro grams; for females aged 11 to 14 years it is 45 micro grams, from 15 to 18 is 55 micro grams, aged 19 to 24, 60 micro grams.
Vitamin K: the richest foods
Let's see where the vitamin K and what are the foods richest:
- broccoli
- spinach
- lettuce
- cabbage
- Brussels sprouts
- turnip greens
- savoy cabbage
- chickpeas
- peas
- soy
- green tea
- eggs
- pork and beef liver
- dairy product
- meat
- fruit and cereals
- fermented milk
- yogurt
- dark molasses
- of safflower seed oil
- fish liver oil
- watercress
- asparagus
- beans
- olives
- pine nuts
- kiwi
- dried fruit
- potatoes
- tomatoes
- nettle
In particular they are recommended vegetables to vegetables in green leaves and fermented milk which is capable of stimulating a good production of vitamin K.
To be noted that the firing does not remove significant amounts of vitamin K.
Vitamin K: Symptoms of deficiency
A deficit of vitamin K deficiency can lead to coagulation disorders that increase the risk of bleeding.
Let's see what are the most at risk:
- those suffering from malnutrition;
- alcoholics;
- those suffering from biliary obstruction;
- Ulcerative colitis;
- cystic fibrosis;
- those who make extensive use of aspirin, antibiotics, anti-convulsant drugs, anticoagulants and sulfonamides.
Can occur in neonates Vitamin K deficiency linked to bleeding problems due to childbirth or surgery.
A deficiency of vitamin K can be expressed with:
- epistaxis;
- reduced bone density with risk of fractures;
- fatigue;
- restless sleep;
- nausea;
- colitis;
- hemolytic anemia;
- jaundice;
- hemorrhagic syndrome.
Because you can be caught by vitamin D deficiency?
In adults, the causes can be substantially:
- dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract;
- Use of drugs such as Warfarin and dicoumarol;
- celiac disease;
- liver disease;
- reduced secretion of bile.
If on the contrary there is an excess of vitamin K what happens?
In adults it is quite rare, but in infants is more easily seen, in this case exhibit the symptoms of jaundice.
In adults it can manifest, in the case of excessive synthetic vitamin K intake, with:
- anemia
- vomit
- thrombosis
- of red blood cells collapse
- hot flushes
- sweating
- itch
- tightness in the chest;
If you are abused supplements will be better to exclude for a while 'it from the liver, yogurt, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, peas and tomatoes.
Warning: intravenous or intramuscular injections of vitamin K can cause allergic reactions so anaphylactic reactions, shock, flushing, diarrhea, cardiac and respiratory arrest attack. Therefore must be diluted and administered under medical supervision.
Warning: Vitamin K can interfere with the following supplements: l 'medicinal herb (Medicago sativa), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and the' Angelica (Angelica archangelica).
