Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in blood clotting and in bone health.  Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is a natural form of vitamin K that is synthesized by our normal flora (intestinal bacteria).  The flora produce about 30% of our total daily need of vitamin K.  Vitamin K1 (pylloquinone) is synthesized by green plants, therefore, dark green leafy vegetables are a rich source of vitamin K.  Vitamin K3 (Menadione) is a synthetic version of the vitamin.  It is commonly injected into new born infants.  This is not a practice I recommend.

Signs & Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency:

Easy bruising
Spontaneous nosebleeds
Blood in the urine
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Bone loss (osteopenia)

Vitamin K has been shown to be beneficial in the following conditions:

Cancer
Bleeding disorders
Epistaxis

Drugs/Medications that deplete or interfere with Vitamin K:

Broad-spectrum antibiotics: deplete normal flora thus decreasing vitamin K synthesis
Coumarin – anticoagulant drugs (warfarin) inhibit vitamin K cycle
Bile acid sequestrants – may inhibit absorption of vitamin K
Mineral oil – may inhibit absorption of vitamin K
Olestra – (food additive) may inhibit absorption of vitamin K
Broad-spectrum antibiotics: deplete normal flora thus decreasing vitamin K synthesis
Coumarin – anticoagulant drugs (warfarin) inhibit vitamin K cycle
Bile acid sequestrants (cholesterol lowering medications) – may inhibit absorption of vitamin K
Mineral oil – may inhibit absorption of vitamin K
Olestra – (fat substitute food additive) may inhibit absorption of vitamin K

Laboratory testing to detect Vitamin K deficiency:

Lymphocyte functional testing
Prothrombin time
Osteocalcin

Food Sources:

Spinach, collard greens, and other dark green leafy vegetables
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