In addition, by origin, vitamin K isolated from green plants is called K1 or phylloquinone, is synthesized in the intestinal bacteria of the human body is called K2 or menaquinone and one that is made in synthetic form called menadione or K3.

As the alternative name implies, vitamin K has the primary function involved in the synthesis of clotting factors, therefore, is essential in the formation of clotting proteins such as prothrombin.

Because of its action, the deficit increases the likelihood of bleeding, especially in people receiving drug treatment because there are certain antibiotics that prevent its synthesis in the gut because they alter the bacterial flora.

Even certain anticoagulant drugs work as antagonists or competitors of vitamin K and may predispose to hemorrhage.

Your daily requirement is low, so it is rarely a deficiency of vitamin K. Recommended intake of 120 micrograms for men and 90 micrograms for adult women per day.

While there is an endogenous synthesis of vitamin K2 or menaquinone, this is small part of the amount necessary to meet human requirements, therefore, is indispensable contribution through food.

The main source of vitamin K are green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli or broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and lettuce, which contributes between 10 and 100 micrograms of vitamin per 100 grams of vegetable.

In addition, other food sources are liver, soybean oil and to a lesser extent, olive oil. We can also find small amounts of vitamin K in milk, eggs, cereals and legumes.

Because it is soluble in fat, not lost by cooking vegetables in water and even resists heat. Therefore, it is not difficult to protect our blood and prevent bleeding process with an adequate supply of this vitamin.

Very little is known about vitamin K, but it is important to know their role and their contribution is essential for the proper functioning of the body. Imagine that an individual who loses a large amount of blood is facing a great danger.

So let us not take the protection of vitamin K and include in our diet many foods and especially green vegetables offer us valuable antihermorrágico factor.

Phylloquinone providing food is designated as K1, while menaquinone produced by our intestinal bacteria called vitamin K2. A synthetic compound with the basic structure of the quinones is menadione or vitamin K3.

Vitamin K is important for proper blood clotting in humans. It is essential for synthesis in the liver of four coagulation proteins.

Without vitamin K, the level of blood clotting proteins is reduced and clotting time is prolonged. A K protein is also recognized a role in the maintenance and bone health.

Since natural vitamin K is fat soluble, requires bile and pancreatic juice into the intestine for maximum absorption. By contrast, some synthetic vitamin K compounds (K3) are water soluble and are absorbed more easily, so they are used by people who do not tolerate natural vitamin K, such as those with an impaired secretion of bile acids.

The absorption of vitamin K takes place primarily in the upper small intestine with the help of bile or bile salts and pancreatic juices, and transported to the liver for synthesis of prothrombin, a key factor in blood clotting.

Vitamin K is found in nature in both animal and vegetable sources. Buenos supplements found in leafy pasture, in most green plants, the alfalfa and kelp. Black molasses sugar and polyunsaturated oils such as safflower, also contain some vitamin K.

In animal foods, vitamin K is found in liver, milk, yogurt, egg Yeme and fish liver oils. The best source for humans is that provided by intestinal bacteria and that is why vitamin K supplementation is particularly important for those whose normal balance in the intestinal flora has been altered.

Its Importance

Vitamin K, like the rest, it is essential for the proper functioning of the body. However, the synthetic variety, the K3, used in medicine, can lead to some dangers that must be taken into account. With respect to medical use of vitamin K is often presented under two different forms, known as phytomenadione and menadione.

These drugs are used in the treatment of bleeding due to vitamin K and in the treatment of bleeding caused by certain types of drugs. At the time of their use should take into account certain risk factors, including:

Allergies: if you have had an allergy to vitamin K or at any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.

Importance of diet: Vitamin K is found in various foods such as leafy green vegetables and meat. Following a balanced diet containing these foods, you get all the vitamin K you need. Vitamin K should be used only when your doctor tells you after you have been completely clear the need for an extra source of it.

Pregnancy use of vitamin K has not proven to be safe during pregnancy, and even there have been frequent cases of toxic reactions in the fetus. In pregnant women, vitamin K should be used only when absolutely necessary and under strict medical surveillance. Special care must also be taken during lactation and its use with children.

Where to find?

American experts recommend a daily intake of between 70 and 140 milligrams of vitamin K. However, there is still no reliable studies in Spain need to determine whether a supplement, because vitamin K is very present in the diet. In any case, a guide, here is a table of vitamin K per 100 gr.

Plant Foods

Fermented cabbage (sauerkraut): 1540 mg.
Virgin sunflower oil: 500 mg.
Spinach: 350 mg.
Cauliflower: 300 mg.
Lettuce: 200 mg.
Soybean meal: 190 mg.
Food Animals

Chicken Heart: 720 mg.
Cod liver: 100 mg.
Cheese: 50 mg.
Egg: 45 mg.
Vitamin K and bone

It has long been known that the essential function of vitamin K is involved in blood clotting. This means that if we suffer an injury, which causes the breaking of the glass with the imminent bleeding, vitamin E is responsible, along with other substances, that the affected area heals.

However, it is the only function of this vitamin: several years ago, it was discovered that plays an important role in normal bone formation because the protein binds calcium. The bones are formed by a mesh of protein on which calcium crystals are deposited forming a structure which is in constant change, ie forming and eroding. Vitamin K helps the calcium more firmly fixed on the protein mesh. Thus, experts recommend its use in cases of fractures and osteoporosis because it decreases the amount of calcium excreted in the urine.

Source: http://www.alimentacion-sana.com.ar/informaciones/novedades/k.htm
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Its deficiency can lead to serious problems, while their presence may help in the prevention and treatment of several types of tumors.

If a vitamin is unknown to the general public that is, without doubt, vitamin K, also known as menadione. Not for nothing is one of those that were discovered later.

It was precisely in 1929 when the Danish Heinrik Dam discovered an unexpected hemorrhagic disease in chicks fed fat-free. He soon discovered that these fats contain a substance which he called Koagulation, regulating blood clotting. It was the first public appearance of what is now known as vitamin K.

Types of Vitamin K

There are three main types of vitamin K: K1 is the most efficient of the three, and is found in abundance in vegetables and vegetables. The K2, by contrast, is of animal origin, the human body itself synthesized from gut bacteria. The K3, finally, is a synthetic Vitamin K, developed in the laboratory, and whose use is recommended only by prescription.

Vitamin K belongs to a group of fat-soluble vitamins, which means that is stored in tissues, liver and fat. Specifically, vitamin K requires the presence of bile in the duodenum to blend into the body. Therefore, for proper absorption is necessary intake of fatty foods. Unlike his famous raw, vitamin K is highly resistant to heat, so it resists very well cooked, but is rapidly oxidized on contact with light.

Its Functions:

What does it do?

The most important function of vitamin K is one that plays in the process of blood clotting, central to the development of life. Vitamin K in this field becomes undisputed star, as it is essential for the formation of clots to prevent bleeding.

But that’s not all. Vitamin K is closely related also to the formation and development of bones, and their presence is essential for calcium binding and remineralization. Finally, recent studies have come to see that vitamin K is very beneficial in treating various tumors (breast, ovarian, stomach, kidneys, lungs and colon).

What happens when it’s needed?

The truth is that the body needs very small amounts of vitamin K, so it is difficult to detect its deficiency. Vitamin K deficiency may be a sign of organic disorders that prevent proper synthesis, such as lack of bile or other gastrointestinal disorders. Also the excess of mineral oils, thinners and aspirin can cause lack.

The direct consequence of a prolonged deficiency of vitamin K is the death of the bacterial fauna of the intestine. This, in turn, leads to intestinal bleeding, blood in the urine, unexplained bruises, broken capillaries, spontaneous abortions, bleeding nose or gums and diarrhea.

Who does need it?

Vitamin K deficiency is a common ailment, but that there are some situations in which risk is advisable to consult a doctor about the need for an extra contribution. In any case, it should be noted that vitamin K3, synthetic, should be administered only by order optional.

Among the cases that may have risk of vitamin K are found for example, people with a tendency to have bleeding, which are treated with antibiotics or with high doses of aspirin, those with liver or bile and during anti-epileptic medication that affect the normal functioning of liver.

On the other hand, its contribution may be necessary in situations with predictable blood loss, as before surgery related to the digestive system, or childbirth. It is also very beneficial for babies, because it prevents bleeding disorders that many suffer from a few days after birth.

Source: http://www.alimentacion-sana.com.ar/informaciones/novedades/k.htm
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Vitamin K is made by some foods and plants mainly fish meal, but this contribution is not essential in humans because it is normally produced by intestinal bacteria (except in the newborn, which the bowel is sterile at birth).

Vitamin K1 is found mainly in leafy green vegetables like broccoli, spinach, parsley, cabbage. Generally, most leaves are green, the higher the vitamin K content is high. Thus, the outer leaves of cabbage contain about 200 mg / 100 g, while the leaves paler heart have content 4 times lower. Margarine, vegetable oils, particularly those rich in soybean oil are good sources of vitamin K1

Cow’s milk provides small but significant amounts of vitamin K. Some fermented dairy products (yogurt, cheese) contain vitamin K2 original batérienne, which contributes to the daily intake. Finally, the liver is a major reserve of vitamin K, and therefore a good dietary source of K1 and K2.