Much less than their raw diva vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C, vitamin K works quietly in the regulatory aspects such as blood clotting.
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.
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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