Vitamin K Last updated: Jul 17, 2008

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  Vitamin K  
 

 

 
 

Vitamin K is found in foods such as green leafy vegetables, soyfoods, egg yolks and cauliflower. The average daily consumption is 100mcg (0.1mg) or less.

When needed for the correction of prolonged bleeding due to over-anticoagulation with warfarin, oral vitamin K (1-5mg) was as effective as IV administration, but had a slower onset of action. [Br J Haematol 2001;115(1): pp.145-149]

5-15mg is a common recommendation among holistic doctors.

 
 

Vitamin K can help with the following:
 
 
Circulation  Bruising Susceptibility
 Low levels of vitamin K are sometimes suspected as a contributing factor to bruising. Vitamin K is found in foods such as green leafy vegetables, soyfoods, egg yolks and cauliflower.

Digestion
  IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
 See the link between IBS and Vitamin B12.

Inflammation
  Chronic Inflammation
  [Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1997;67(5): pp.350-6]

Metabolic
  Blood Type O

Musculo-Skeletal
  Osteoporosis / Risk
 In a 3 year study of postmenopausal women, vitamin D, minerals and vitamin K were used to determine vitamin K's effect on bone loss. The use of vitamin K, along with other nutrients, reduced femoral neck bone loss, but not lumbar spine bone loss when compared to a similar supplement list without vitamin K. [Calcif Tissue Int 2003;73(1): pp.21-6]

Nutrients
  Vitamin K Requirement

Organ Health
  Hepatitis
 Low vitamin K levels may be supplemented with 100 to 500 mcg per day.

Tumors, Malignant
  Multiple Myeloma
 Many patients on high dose chemotherapy for lymphoma or myeloma test positive for prothrombin precursor PIVKA II. These are proteins induced by vitamin K absence or antagonism.

  Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
 Many patients on high dose chemotherapy for lymphoma or myeloma test positive for prothrombin precursor PIVKA II. These are proteins induced by vitamin K absence or antagonism.

Uro-Genital
  Pregnancy-Related Issues Possible
 The U.S. RDA is 65mg.

  Menorrhagia (Heavy Periods)
 Based on its ability to help blood clot normally, vitamin K has been proposed as a treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding and is beneficial for some women. Although bleeding time and prothrombin levels in women with menorrhagia are typically normal, the use of vitamin K (often in the form of chlorophyll) does have limited research support. Green leafy vegetables and other sources of vitamin K should be eaten freely.
 
 


KEY
May do some good
Likely to help

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GLOSSARY

Intravenous Infusion:  (IV): A small needle placed in the vein to assist in fluid replacement or the giving of medication.

Microgram:  (mcg): 1/1,000 of a milligram in weight.

Milligram:  (mg): 1/1,000 of a gram by weight.

Vitamin K:  Helps the blood clot when the body is injured.