Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that primarily aids in blood clotting. It is also said to help maintain strong bones especially in the elderly. Like Vitamin D, vitamin K is one that your body can produce on its own, by the bacteria in your intestinal tract during digestion.

Sources

• Kale
• Spinach
• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Beans & Soybeans
• Eggs
• Strawberries
• Meat

Deficiency

Thankfully, Vitamin K deficiency is rare, and occurs when the body can’t properly absorb the vitamin from the intestinal tract. However, Vitamin K deficiency can potentially happen after long-term treatment with antibiotics. Individuals with a deficiency are more likely to have bruising and bleeding. Insufficient amounts of Vitamin K intake can also lead to hemorrhage and potentially fatal anemia. Newborns are at risk of Vitamin K deficiency because the vitamin does not cross the placenta and breast milk only contains small amounts of the vitamin. Newborns often receive a Vitamin K shot following birth to prevent a rare problem of bleeding into the brain weeks after birth.

Over-consumption

Toxicity of Vitamin K only occurs with excessive intake of the synthetic form menadione. It is unlikely anyone will experience adverse effects of consuming too much Vitamin K. Doses of about 1,000 times the Recommended Daily Amount of Vitamin K can cause severe jaundice in infants.

Recommended Daily Amount

The recommended intake for men is 120 micrograms and 90 micrograms for women.