Like what you’re reading? Get FREE updates sent to your inbox.Email* I want to improve my...I want to improve my...WeightEnergyDigestionBrainOverall HealthAll of the AboveI hate spam too. Your email is safe with me.Vitamins & Supplements Home Related to Vitamins & Supplements Diet & Weight Management Vitamin K plays a key role in helping the blood clot, preventing excessive bleeding. Unlike many other vitamins, vitamin K is not typically used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin K is actually a group of compounds. The most important of these compounds appears to be vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. Vitamin K1 is obtained from leafy greens and some other vegetables. Vitamin K2 is a group of compounds largely obtained from meats, cheeses, and eggs, and synthesized by bacteria. Vitamin K1 is the main form of vitamin K supplement available in the U.S. Recently, some people have looked to vitamin K2 to treat osteoporosis and steroid-induced bone loss, but the research is conflicting.
At this point there is not enough data to recommend using vitamin K2 for osteoporosis. Why do people take vitamin K? Low levels of vitamin K can raise the risk of uncontrolled bleeding. While vitamin K deficiencies are rare in adults, they are very common in newborn infants. A single injection of vitamin K for newborns is standard. Vitamin K is also used to counteract an overdose of the blood thinner Coumadin. While vitamin K deficiencies are uncommon, you may be at higher risk if you: Have a disease that affects absorption in the digestive tract, such as Crohn's disease or active celiac disease Take drugs that interfere with vitamin K absorption In these cases, a health care provider might suggest vitamin K supplements. Uses of vitamin K for cancer, for the symptoms of morning sickness, for the removal of spider veins, and for other conditions are unproven. How much vitamin K should you take? The recommended adequate intake of vitamin K you take in, both from food and other sources is below.
Most people get enough vitamin K from their diets. Women 19 and up Women, pregnant or breastfeeding Men 19 and up There have been no adverse effects of vitamin K seen with the levels found in food or supplements. However, this does not rule out danger with high dose. Researchers have not set a maximum safe dose. Can you get vitamin K naturally from foods? Good natural food sources of vitamin K include: Vegetables like spinach, asparagus, and broccoli What are the risks of taking vitamin K? Side effects of oral vitamin K at recommended doses are rare.Many drugs can interfere with the effects of vitamin K. They include antacids, blood thinners, antibiotics, aspirin, and drugs for cancer, seizures, high cholesterol, and other conditions.You should not use vitamin K supplements unless your health care provider tells you to. People using Coumadin for heart problems, clotting disorders, or other conditions may need to watch their diets closely to control the amount of vitamin K they take in.
They should not use vitamin K supplements unless advised to do so by their health care provider.The World's Healthiest Foords are health-promoting foods that can change your life. Try the exciting new lunch recipe from Day 1 of our upcoming 7-Day Meal Plan. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Can Preparation Methods Impact the Benefits of Cruciferous Vegetables? How consistent does my diet have to be in order for me to stay healthy? Is it possible to create a well-balanced diet without paying attention to portion sizes? Is Healthy Eating possible on a tight budget? Is it okay for me to "eat on the run?" Does Healthy Eating require cooking on a regular basis? Are grocery lists and organized food plans required for Healthy Eating? Does Healthy Eating require three meals each day? Are snacks a good thing or a bad thing for Healthy Eating? Does it matter if dinner is the largest meal of the day? Unwanted Consequences of High-Heat Cooking?
Raw vs Cooked Food - Chewing and Digestion Raw vs Cooked Food - Making Raw Foods More Digestible How do cooking temperatures affect vegetable nutrients? What do you think about microwave cooking? Eating Grains -or Not Adapting a Meal Plan for Little or No Grains Is gluten-free the same as wheat-free? How is wheat related to other grains? Is gluten sensitivity the same thing as wheat allergy? Can I still have an unwanted reaction to wheat or grains, even if I always choose whole grains? Do you consider grains to be a priority food group for healthy eating? Can you help set the record straight on gluten-free foods, grain-free diets, and the "wheat belly diet?" Are there legitimate and distinct health issues related to consumption of grains versus wheat versus gluten? Are vegetarian diets really more healthful? What do you think about a mostly vegetarian-plus-seafood meal plan? What do you think about a mostly vegetarian-plus-dairy/eggs meal plan?
How does seafood compare with dairy/eggs as a "protein booster" on a vegetarian diet? What nutrients are most likely to be deficient in a vegetarian diet? How much of a problem is iron in a vegetarian diet? How much of a problem is protein in a vegetarian diet? Is vitamin B12 really a problem in a vegetarian diet? Can a vegetarian diet help me lose weight? Does WHFoods directly advocate a vegetarian meal plan? What if I eat vegetarian most of the time, but enjoy meat and poultry on occasion? If I am mostly eating plant foods, do I still need to be concerned about food quality? I've heard a lot about eating a "colorful diet." Should I pick fruits and vegetables based on color to help me get more benefits from these foods? How do our vegetable recommendations at WHFoods compare with common public health recommendations? All Foods are not for Everyone An Overview of Adverse Food Reactions What are food intolerances? Adverse Food Reactions: Environment and Cross Related Reactions
What is meant by the term "goitrogen" and what is the connection between goitrogens, food, and health? What are purines and how are they related to food and health? Can you tell me about oxalates, including the foods that contain them and how are they related to nutrition and health? Which foods are classified as "nightshades," and is it true that foods from this group can potentially contain problematic substances? Can you tell me more about chlorophyll? Does chlorophyll provide health benefits? How do cooking and handling affect the chlorophyll in food? Which foods contain chlorophyll - and in what amount? What is the certification process in a food becoming certified organic? Can you tell me more about the labeling of organic foods? What is the difference between a focus on organic regulations versus a focus on sustainability? What is your approach to genetically modified foods? How does my digestion work and how can I improve it?