Vitamin K is not the most popular micronutrient, although it is important in blood coagulation. The human body receives it with animals and plant products. Thanks to a balanced diet, it will be possible to prevent vitamin deficiency.
The diet should be such that all the necessary trace elements enter the body. You also need to know what the lack of vitamin K leads to. It, like other trace elements, is needed by the body, so its deficiency is not permissible.
Kinds
Why is vitamin K needed? This is due to useful properties. Vitamin K is a group of trace elements similar in structure, from K1 to K7. The name comes from the English word koagulation, which translates as "coagulation." It enters the body in two forms:
- like vitamin K1 or phylloquinone - present in bright green vegetables;
- like vitamin K2 or menaquinone - is synthesized by microorganisms in the process of receipt of animal food.
Beneficial features
Biochemists identified the following beneficial properties of vitamin K:
- participation in the formation of prothrombin, which is needed for blood coagulation;
- the production of osteocalcin protein, which protects against fractures, strengthens bones;
- participates in the absorption of calcium;
- normalizes kidney function;
- reduces the risk of diabetes;
- retains youthful skin.
Vitamin K is considered an anabolic, provides the body with energy. The component is fat soluble, in small amounts remains in the liver. It affects blood sugar. With the penetration of low-quality products into the body, toxins accumulate in the liver. The substance is destroyed by sunlight and in alkaline solutions. It is necessary to consume vitamin K in moderation. What foods it contains, everyone needs to know. It can also be replaced by sources in the form of tablets or in ampoules.
Sources
Due to its beneficial properties, every person needs vitamin K. What foods do they contain? The component is in:
- vegetable and animal oils;
- fresh juices;
- walnuts;
- cereals and cereals;
- vegetables
- cabbage, spinach, broccoli, lettuce;
- fruits and dried fruits;
- cheese and goat milk.
Vitamin K is rich in beef, cod, pork, veal, chicken. If you regularly use these products, then a deficiency of vitamin K will never threaten you. These sources are considered the most useful. There is vitamin K in tablets, solutions. The dose can only be prescribed by a doctor; you should not do this on your own. Uncontrolled intake of such drugs can cause negative consequences. This also applies to cases when vitamin K is taken in ampoules. You also need to carefully read the instructions for use.
Vitamin K deficiency
Children from birth may have a deficiency of vitamin K in the body, since it is not enough in mother’s milk. Moreover, if a woman had an unhealthy diet during pregnancy, then newborns can have pathologies, including a lack of different vitamins. This can be manifested by internal bleeding, hemorrhage.
Meat is a necessary product, but there is little vitamin K in it. It is in the liver, depending on the nutrition of the animal. But now they use feed that is unlikely to be beneficial. In the intestine, the absorption of vitamin K occurs in different ways, this requires fats and secretion of bile.
With sausages and deep-fried dishes, this essential element does not enter the body. What causes a lack of vitamin K? Because of this, hemorrhagic syndrome may appear. There are intradermal and subcutaneous hemorrhages, internal bleeding, bleeding gums.
Signs of deficiency
What causes a lack of vitamin K? Of the external signs, the following can be distinguished:
- high fatigue;
- weakness;
- digestive disorders;
- painful menstruation;
- anemia;
- bleeding gums;
- bruising
- bleeding due to minor damage.
If there are at least some of these signs, you need to reconsider your lifestyle and nutrition. Perhaps this is due to a lack of vitamin K.
Reasons for the shortage
Why there is a lack of vitamin K. Consequences of a negative nature may be associated with the following reasons:
- cholelithiasis and liver ailments;
- taking antibiotics, due to which the intestinal microflora is destroyed;
- prolonged intravenous nutrition.
Anticoagulants are considered a popular cause of the shortage - medicines that lower the ability of blood to clot. In medicine, they are often used to protect against blood clots. Similar drugs are prescribed for diseases of the heart and blood vessels. They dilute vitamin K with blood thinning.
Other diseases that cause impaired absorption of fats in the intestines can also cause a shortage of substance. This may be due to colitis, infections, gastrointestinal upsets, dysbacterioses, and pancreatic disorders. Hypovitaminosis appears due to chemotherapy and anticonvulsants.
If a person has a normal metabolism, vitamin K is in his normal amount. Hypervitaminosis is rare, but even in large quantities it does not cause negative consequences. The substance is non-toxic, but with some diseases it must be prescribed and used carefully, since an increase in blood coagulation is undesirable. Synthetic vitamin is used for injuries and injuries, peptic ulcer.
Excess
You should know not only what the lack of vitamin K leads to, but also how the excess is manifested. This phenomenon is observed only in newborns. With it, hemolytic syndrome appears. There may be the following symptoms:
- nuclear jaundice, especially in premature babies;
- hyperbilirubinemia;
- hemolytic anemia.
In adults, an overdose does not occur. This substance has no toxic effect, its excess is easily eliminated in a natural way.
Daily rate
The right amount of vitamin K is set individually for all people. For every kilogram of weight, 1 mcg is needed. For example, if a person weighs 70 kg, then he needs 70 micrograms of substances per day. Usually people get it in larger quantities. Shortage is rare, it may appear due to interaction with drugs.
The body needs much more other vitamins, so only 1 mcg per 1 kg will be enough for this substance. The lifestyle that modern people lead often causes a lack of vitamin K. For many, the intestines are not normal, often there is a violation of fat metabolism. Most people take various medications.
Vitamin K Preservation
The level of this component decreases due to the action of alcohol, effervescent drinks, and also with excessive intake of vitamin E. It is poorly absorbed due to the substances that are in the finished products - preservatives, flavorings, colorings, flavor enhancers and other additives.
But it is useful to use kefir, yogurt, fish oil. If you adhere to a healthy lifestyle, eat right, then there will never be a deficiency of vitamin K.
Shortage Prevention
To prevent deficiency in newborns and reduce blood loss during childbirth, a vitamin K preparation is used before childbirth. If within 12 hours labor has not begun, then the dose is repeated. In the treatment of hypovitaminosis in newborns, the dose of "Vikasol" is not more than 4 mg by mouth and 2 mg intramuscularly.
This drug is used for various types of bleeding in surgery, for constipation, and epidemic hepatitis. The highest daily dose for adults is 60 mg of Vikasol. Treatment is performed with the control of prothrombin in the blood. A contraindication is a high rate of blood coagulation.
Dietology
Vitamin K has an antihemorrhagic effect. Since it dissolves in fats, it should be replenished constantly. Products with this trace element are considered useful and affordable. From them you can easily make a useful menu. A large amount of vitamin in vegetables allows you to consume it not only in the required amount, but also create an appropriate diet for losing weight.
Vitamin controls blood sugar. If you eat such products, the body is saturated, and the feeling of false hunger does not bother. Green vegetables are low in calories, and together with proteins they are great for lunch or dinner.
After heat treatment, this trace element does not disappear. Sometimes its amount even increases. This is determined by the localization of the nutrient. For example, vegetable plant cells remove vitamin K, and this loss is made up for. With the industrial processing of fruits and vegetables, as well as with preservation, the component disappears.
Interaction
Vitamin K should not be taken with anticoagulants. With their interaction, the level of trace element decreases, and the coagulation rate of the blood decreases. During the last trimester of pregnancy, women should not consume a lot of vitamin, as this can have a toxic effect on the fetus.
In small doses, it is consumed after childbirth. It should not be taken with vitamin E. With the use of antibiotics, the dose of this trace element increases. Antibacterial agents eliminate the microorganisms that form the substance in the small intestine. Its absorption is impaired due to barbiturates. Therefore, a healthy diet is important.
Vitamin K is necessary for the production of proteins that are used in the process of blood coagulation. It also allows you to strengthen bones, improve bone growth due to the work of osteocalcin. This component affects the proper functioning of the kidneys. It is important for every person to eat fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs, dairy and meat products. These products give the body not only energy, but also protect against a lack of vitamins.