What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K1, phylloquinone, is the plant form of this nutrient. Vitamin K2, menaquinone, is produced from K1 by the bacteria in animal and human intestines. Vitamin K3, menadione, is a synthetic version. Vitamin K1 is the form involved in healthy blood clotting, and also has anti-inflammatory effects through which it helps prevent excessive bone loss. Vitamin K2, which activates osteocalcin, the Matrix Gla protein responsible for moving calcium into bone, is the best form for protecting against osteoporosis. Vitamin K3 has been used in treating cancer, but this form is not allowed in nutritional supplements because of its history of serious adverse reactions. How it Functions What are the functions of vitamin K? Blood clotting Blood clotting is a vital function in the body that solidifies blood to prevent us from bleeding to death when a blood vessel is damaged either from an external wound or internally. Another benefit of blood clotting is that it secludes the area of an infection or
Vitamin K comes in several forms. It is known by the names phytonadione, meadione, and vitamin K1, K2, and K3. Vitamin K acts in the human body in the formation of several substances which promote blood clotting. These blood clotting factors are integral to proper functioning of the liver. Vitamin K is also integral to the formation of prothrombin which promotes blood clots in the human body. The dietary sources for Vitamin K are easily obtained through a normal diet. Vitamin K is extremely rich in alfalfa, green, leafy vegetables and in all of the root vegetables. You can also find dietary sources of Vitamin K in most fruits and seeds. Additionally, it can be obtained through the consumption of cow’s milk, dairy products and yogurt.
