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Vitamin
K |
What is the
importance of vitamin
K ?
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Vitamin
K is a fat-soluble
vitamin. It is essential
for the production of
protein called
prothrombin and other
factors involved in the
blood-clotting
mechanism. It is known
to prevent hemorrhages.
Vitamin K exists in
nature in two forms.
Vitamin K1, originally
isolated from Lucerne
(alfalfa), is the only
form that occurs in
plants. It is a yellow
oil, soluble in fat
solvents, but only
slightly soluble in
water. Vitamin K2 has
been found to be
produced by many
bacteria.
Vitamin K is not easily
destroyed by light,
heat, or exposure to
air. It is, however,
destroyed by strong
acids, alkalis, and
oxidizing agents, X-rays
and radiation, frozen
foods, aspirin, air
pollution, and mineral
oil are other factors
that can destroy vitamin
K.
Studies of the liver
stores of vitamin K
indicate that
approximately 50% of the
vitamin comes from the
diet and 50% from
bacterial production in
the intestines. Vitamin
K is absorbed along with
fat in the diet. Bile is
essential for its
absorption. The absorbed
vitamin passes through
the lymphatic system to
the general circulation.
The liver stores
appreciable amounts of
this vitamin. There is
hardly any excretion of
vitamin K by the body.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Fat soluble vitamins do
not leave your body if
you take too much. It is
possible to overdose on
vitamin K and
become very ill. Please
watch dosages carefully.
Never give children
vitamin K unless
your health care
practitioner recommends
it. (Vitamin K in
a children's multi
vitamin is OK)
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How do you know if
you need more vitamin K?
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Primary deficiency
of vitamin K in
adults is not clear.
Therefore it may be
assumed that even
the worst diets
contain enough of
this vitamin to meet
normal human needs.
A deficiency state
would more likely be
caused by a failure
to absorb or utilize
the vitamin.
Low vitamin K
intake, plus
antibiotic therapy,
which reduces its
production by
bacteria, may result
in lowered levels of
vitamin K in the
body.A deficiency
of vitamin K which
results in the
blood taking
longer to clot,
may cause severe
hemorrhages anywhere
in the body.
Nosebleeds and
bleeding can prove
to be life
threatening.
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How much
vitamin K do you
need?
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It is
impossible for anyone to
tell you how much of any
particular vitamin you
need. We have read many
articles and reports on
this subject and no two
are alike. There are too
many variables involved.
Your age, your height
and weight, your health
and lifestyle, etc. The
best way for you to
decide which supplements
you need is to read
these pages and make
note of any health
problems you may be
having which could be
associated with a
vitamin deficiency. Then
start taking a small
dose. If your symptoms
don't go away after a
week or two, increase
your dosage. Continue
this until your symptoms
are relieved and stay
with that dosage.
Guideline is for a 150
pound adult:
- Men: 80 mcg
- Women: 65 mcg
You do not need to
take any extra Vitamin K
unless you have sever
problems with your blood
not clotting. If you are
taking a blood thinner
prescribed by a doctor,
do not take vitamin k
without first talking to
your doctor. If you are
having problems with
your blood not clotting,
please consult a
healthcare advisor.
Always consult your
doctor or midwife during
pregnancy and lactation.
Always start small
and work your way up, if
needed. Please be
careful when dealing
with fat soluble
vitamins as your body
retains these for
extended periods of
time. It is possible to
take to much of these
types of vitamins.
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How to get enough
vitamin K?
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Eating
a variety of foods that
contain vitamin K
is the best way to get
an adequate amount.
Healthy individuals who
eat a balanced diet
rarely need supplements.
In fact, too much
vitamin K can be
toxic. Select foods that
contain excellent to
good sources of
vitamin K each day.
Such as the following:
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Cauliflower |
brussel
sprouts |
broccoli |
lettuce |
spinach |
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tomatoes |
cabbage |
string beans |
lean meat |
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If
you eat an abundant
quantity of the
above foods, you
will not have to
worry about
supplementing your
diet with extra
Vitamin K. If
you don't eat much
of the above foods,
you might consider
adding a supplement.
We feel it is never
necessary to add
vitamin K to your
diet. Go eat a salad
instead. If it is
necessary, you
should consult a
healthcare advisor
first.
Find a good
Naturopathic doctor
in your area here.
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We
get all our personal
use vitamins and supplements
from
Puritan's Pride .
We highly recommend you
do the same, for
all your vitamin and
supplement needs. Their
products are always
fresh and of the highest
quality. Their prices
can't be beat, not even
by Wal-Mart. Shipping is
very fast and
inexpensive. |
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