All About Vitamin K
What is this Vitamin? Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that was discovered in 1929. While this nutrient may seem to have a shorter list of functions compared to other vitamins, it is the "K Vitamin" that steps in when the body sustains a cut or wound and stops the bleeding and begins the healing process.
This is because K's most famous role is to make prothrombin and other proteins which are important in blood clotting. This vitamin is often prescribed to surgery patients to prevent excessive bleeding and promote incision healing. Vitamin K shots are often given to infants 6 hours of birth to promote normal blood clotting. There is a trio of K vitamins which are as follows: Other Benefits Recent studies suggest that this crucial vitamin plays a role in bone health and counters osteoporosis. Its role on building bones is unclear, but it thought to work synergistically with calcium, and helps the body better absorb this vital bone health mineral.
The therapeutic uses of this vitamin include:
Recommended Daily Allowance
Precautions
Anyone taking blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) should consult a physician before taking any supplemental vitamin K. Some experts point out that pregnant woman should not take large doses of synthetic vitamin K during the last few weeks of pregnancy because it can result in a toxic reaction in the newborn. It is important that you speak with a physician before taking any dietary supplements.
How to Choose a Vitamin K Supplement
First, you need to be aware that dietary supplements are not strictly regulated in the U.S. and, as such, manufacturers do not have to prove the safety, effectiveness, or even the true content of their products. Is this a big problem? Yes. In fact, according to Consumerlab.com, the leading provider of independent test results states: "Testing by ConsumerLab.com shows that one in four supplements in the United States lacks the promised ingredients or has other serious problems." Is the FDA aware of this industry problem? Yes. Click here to get all the details of this industry-wide problem. Therefore, we advise that you purchase your supplement from pharmaceutical GMP compliant facilities, which adhere to the most stringent manufacturing standards for supplements.
Second, vitamin K aids calcium, and calcium needs magnesium and vitamin D to be effective. Therefore, one should consider a comprehensive formula that contains all of these nutrients together, rather than take a stand-alone vitamin K supplement.
To Your Health! The Editors
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