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.

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