Vitamin K is important to allow the body’s blood to clot thus preventing hemorrhage. In fact, this vitamin is so important in the preventing hemorrhage that in certain cases it will be administered to individuals before surgery can be preformed. You see, if your blood does not have enough vitamin K to help it form blood clots, surgery and injuries that cause bleeding will not be able to heal in time. This can cause free bleeding that can be very dangerous.
However, vitamin K does not cure hemophilia. Hemophilia is a genetic disease in which individuals lack the proper blood clotting factors that prevent hemorrhages. Additionally, heart patients may need to limit the amount of vitamin K they are receiving. This is especially true if they are on blood thinners, since vitamin K could counter act the effects that blood thinners are supposed to impart.
Vitamin K is also important for strong bones since it works with vitamin D to regulate the absorption of calcium. Vitamin K, together with vitamin D controls how much calcium is absorbed into the blood stream to be used for healthy bones.
Vitamin K can be found in seaweed, spinach, chickpeas, lentils, egg yolk, broccoli, and beef liver. The best way to maintain healthy levels of any vitamin is through a well balanced diet. This is the way our bodies intended it, and this is the best way for them to absorb the vitamins.
However, in certain cases it may be necessary to supplement vitamins that we are not receiving due to poor nutrition or certain medical conditions. In these cases, since vitamin K is fat soluble, it does not flush out in the urine, but is stored in the fat cells. So, it is possible for vitamin K to reach toxic levels. For this reason, those individuals taking vitamin K supplements should only take the recommended dosage.
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