The Importance of Vitamin K

Het belang van Vitamine K

Discover the importance of vitamin K for a healthy body. There are two types of this vitamin: K1, from plant food, and K2, from animal origin. Bacteria in the intestines also contribute to the production of vitamin K2. This vitamin is essential for good blood clotting and plays a crucial role in bone formation.

Functions of Vitamin K

1. Antioxidant: Vitamin K acts as a powerful antioxidant and even activates vitamin E.
2. Blood clotting: An essential role in the clotting process, maintaining the balance between proteins that promote and slow clotting.
3. Bone formation: Vitamin K is essential for the protein osteocalcin, which regulates the balance between bone breakdown and bone formation.

Sources of Vitamin K

• K1: Green leafy vegetables, grains, vegetables, and fruits.
• K2: Liver, cheese, and eggs.

Amount of Vitamin K in some foods:

• Sauerkraut/Brussels sprouts (100g): 1,500 micrograms
• Chicken (100g): 500 micrograms
• Spinach (100g): 415 micrograms
• Broccoli (100g): 175 micrograms
• Carrots (100g): 65 micrograms

Causes of Vitamin K Deficiency

• Alcohol: Excessive use inhibits liver function, which reduces the production of blood proteins.
• Medicines: Antibiotics disrupt intestinal flora and vitamin K production in the large intestine.
• Liver dysfunction: Impaired liver function impedes vitamin K recycling and storage.
• Newborns: Lack of vitamin K in newborns due to underdeveloped liver and sterile intestine.

Applications

• Babies: To prevent bleeding, all babies receive extra vitamin K shortly after birth. Breastfed babies need extra K (25 micrograms) daily for the first three months.
• Bone loss: Vitamin K stimulates osteocalcin production, which is crucial for bone formation and the prevention, and possibly treatment, of bone loss.

Consequences of a disturbed Vitamin K balance

• Poor blood clotting with spontaneous bleeding.
• Bone decalcification.

Daily amount

In the Netherlands, there is no official recommended daily amount yet. In the United States, 120 micrograms are recommended for men and 90 micrograms for women.

Optimize your health with vitamin K and ensure a balanced diet!