This isn’t an easy topic to write about nor is it an easy topic to find information about since it’s quite complex. However, we will share with you as much information as possibly can about this subject so that you no longer have any questions left un-answered by the end of this article.
What Is Vitamin K?
The intestine also creates some of this vitamin. Both vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 produce proteins that help the blood clot. If a person has a vitamin K deficiency, that means the person’s body cannot produce enough of these proteins, increasing the risk of excessive bleeding.
Most adults obtain an adequate supply of vitamin K through the foods they eat and through what their body naturally produces. Vitamin K deficiency is much more likely to occur in infants. When it does, it is known as vitamin K deficiency bleeding or VKDB.
Physiology Of Vitamin K Deficiency
It impairs clotting. Diagnosis is suspected based on routine coagulation study findings and confirmed by response to vitamin K. Treatment consists of vitamin K given orally or, when fat malabsorption is the cause or when risk of bleeding is high, parenterally. If the mother has taken phenytoin antiseizure drugs, coumarin anticoagulants, or cephalosporin antibiotics, the risk of hemorrhagic disease is increase.
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Why Is Vitamin K Important?
It is also in the fat of much of the food that we eat. Vitamin K is stored in the liver, so you don’t need a lot of it every day. See this separate article for important information on babies and vitamin K.
Vitamin K deficiency symptoms
Not having enough vitamin K in the body can make someone bruise more easily than usual.
It will be more difficult to stop bleeding after an injury or surgery.
What Causes Vitamin K Deficiency?
Some pathology services and hospitals measure vitamin K levels directly. If that is not possible, you can have a blood test to check how well your blood clots. You might also have other tests if there are other issues to investigate.
Preventing vitamin K deficiency
Most people get enough vitamin K in their diet. The best source is dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, parsley, broccoli, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts and salad greens. Vitamin K deficiency treatment
If you do not have enough vitamin K, you’ll be asked to eat more of the foods listed above.
They can help the blood clot, and they might help increase bone strength. But don’t take them without talking to your doctor first since they can interfere with some other medicines.