Diff: Vitamin K
Comparing revision #2 (2024-01-31 23:48:41) with revision #3 (2026-06-22 14:37:00).
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'''Vitamin K''' is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood clotting, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular health. It exists in two primary forms: vitamin K₁ (phylloquinone) and vitamin K₂ (menaquinone). While vitamin K₁ is primarily involved in blood clotting, vitamin K₂ has additional roles in bone and cardiovascular health. Adequate vitamin K levels are crucial for maintaining overall well-being. |
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==Forms of Vitamin K== |
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Vitamin K₁ (Phylloquinone): |
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Natural Form: Found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and broccoli. |
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Blood Clotting: Essential for the synthesis of clotting factors in the liver. |
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Vitamin K₂ (Menaquinone): |
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Bacterial Synthesis: Produced by bacteria in the human gut and found in fermented foods. |
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Bone Metabolism: Plays a role in bone mineralization and may contribute to cardiovascular health. |
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==Functions of Vitamin K== |
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Blood Clotting: |
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Clotting Factors: Vitamin K is necessary for the synthesis of proteins involved in blood clotting, such as prothrombin. |
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Bone Metabolism: |
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Osteocalcin: Vitamin K₂ is involved in the activation of osteocalcin, a protein important for bone mineralization. |
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Cardiovascular Health: |
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Arterial Calcification: Vitamin K may help prevent arterial calcification by regulating calcium in the arteries. |
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'''Vitamin K''' is a fat-soluble vitamin group needed for normal blood clotting and involved in bone metabolism. The main dietary form is vitamin K1, also called phylloquinone, found mainly in green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K2 refers to several menaquinones found in some animal and fermented foods and produced by bacteria. |
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Cell Growth and Regulation: |
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== Forms == |
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* '''Vitamin K1''', or phylloquinone, is the main form in most diets and is found in foods such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and vegetable oils. |
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* '''Vitamin K2''', or menaquinones, includes several related compounds. Sources can include natto, some cheeses, meat, and bacterial production in the gut. |
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Growth Arrest-Specific Protein 6 (Gas6): Vitamin K is involved in the activation of Gas6, a protein with roles in cell growth and regulation. |
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==Sources of Vitamin K== |
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Vitamin K₁: |
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Both forms can support vitamin K-dependent processes, but they differ in food sources, absorption, and metabolism. |
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Green Leafy Vegetables: Spinach, kale, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. |
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== Functions == |
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Vitamin K is required for the activation of proteins involved in haemostasis, the process that helps bleeding stop. Prothrombin is one of the vitamin K-dependent clotting proteins. |
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Vegetable Oils: Soybean oil and canola oil. |
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Vitamin K is also involved in proteins linked with bone metabolism, including osteocalcin. Research continues into how vitamin K status relates to bone health and vascular calcification, but this does not make vitamin K a general treatment for osteoporosis or heart disease. |
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Vitamin K₂: |
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== Food Sources == |
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Sources include: |
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Fermented Foods: Natto (fermented soybeans), cheese, and sauerkraut. |
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* Kale, spinach, spring greens, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. |
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* Soya bean, rapeseed, and other vegetable oils. |
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* Natto and some fermented foods. |
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* Some cheeses, meat, and eggs in smaller or variable amounts. |
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Animal Products: Meat and dairy products. |
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==Recommended Daily Intake== |
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Varied Recommendations: Recommendations for vitamin K intake vary by age, sex, and life stage. Adults generally require between 90 and 120 micrograms per day. |
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==Deficiency and Risk Factors== |
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Because vitamin K is fat-soluble, absorption depends on normal fat digestion and bile flow. |
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==== Deficiency Symptoms ==== |
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Easy Bruising: Due to impaired blood clotting. |
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== Intake and Deficiency == |
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NHS guidance states that adults need about 1 mcg of vitamin K a day for each kilogram of body weight and that most people should get enough from a varied diet. |
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Bleeding: Excessive bleeding, especially from wounds or mucous membranes. |
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Clinically important deficiency is rare in healthy adults. It is more likely in newborns who do not receive vitamin K, people with fat malabsorption, some liver or bile disorders, and people taking medicines that interfere with vitamin K metabolism. |
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==== Risk Factors ==== |
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Fat Malabsorption: Conditions such as celiac disease, [[Crohn's disease]], or bile duct obstruction can lead to vitamin K deficiency. |
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Severe deficiency can cause bleeding because clotting proteins are not activated properly. |
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Antibiotic Use: Prolonged use of certain antibiotics may reduce vitamin K production by gut bacteria. |
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==Interactions and Considerations== |
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== Medicine Interactions == |
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Vitamin K interacts with warfarin and similar anticoagulants. People taking these medicines are usually advised to keep vitamin K intake consistent rather than suddenly eating much more or much less. |
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==== Medication Interactions ==== |
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Anticoagulants: Vitamin K can interact with anticoagulant medications, affecting their effectiveness. |
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Newborn babies are commonly given vitamin K to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding. |
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Vitamin K Shot: Newborns are often given a vitamin K shot at birth to prevent bleeding disorders. |
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==See Also== |
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[[Blood Clotting]] |
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== See Also == |
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* [[Osteoporosis]] |
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* [[Vitamin_B12]] |
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* [[Selenium]] |
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[[Osteoporosis]] |
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== References == |
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* [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-HealthProfessional/ NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin K health professional fact sheet] |
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* [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-Consumer/ NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin K consumer fact sheet] |
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* [https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-k/ NHS: Vitamin K] |
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* [https://111.wales.nhs.uk/vitaminsandminerals/ NHS 111 Wales: Vitamins and minerals] |
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[[Nutrition]] |
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[[Category:Nutrition]] |
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[[Category:Medicine]] |