Diet & Nutrition, Vitamin K

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Diet & Nutrition

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is made by bacteria that live in the colon. Deficiencies are uncommon.

What it does for you

Vitamin K helps your blood clot. It also plays an important role in producing the proteins that keep your teeth and bones healthy.

Which foods have it?

Broccoli, brussels sprouts, yoghurt, green cabbage, alfalfa, egg yolk, oils such as soya bean oil and fish liver oil, and kelp.

How much is too much?

Massive doses of vitamin K in supplements can lead to a build-up in the body, causing liver damage and problems such as jaundice in infants and children.

Vit K lowers cancer risk

People with higher intakes of vitamin K from food may be less likely to develop or die of cancer, a new study suggests.

What it is

Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin and is made by bacteria that live in your colon. It’s then absorbed back into your bloodstream to conduct a variety of important tasks.

How much you need

The adequate intake (AI) for vitamin K is 120 microgram per day for male adults and 90 microgram per day for female adults.

Heavy blood loss during menstruation can be alleviated by taking vitamin K. Post-menopausal women who lose calcium in their urine can halt the loss by taking vitamin K. It can also alleviate nausea during pregnancy. Blood-thinning drugs can inhibit the absorption of vitamin K.

New research

Vitamin K can help patients recover from surgery. Newborn babies are now given vitamin K injections as a matter of course, to improve their blood clotting abilities.