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What Does Vitamin K Do

Vitamin K is a group of fat soluble vitamins that was discovered in 1929 by a Danish scientist called Henrik Dam. There are two natural forms of this vitamin called Vitamin K1 and K2. Vitamin K1 is found in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, broccoli and some fruits. K2 is found in eggs, meat and dairy foods. Even at very high doses the natural forms of this vitamin are non-toxic , but they can interfere with blood thinning medications. You might be wondering what this important vitamin does? Read on to find out.

What does Vitamin K do
Vitamin K has a very important function in the body as it is necessary for blood clotting. It helps the body make 4 of the 13 essential proteins that thicken the blood. Without enough vitamin K your body would bruise and/or bleed excessively, which can be very dangerous. Vitamin K is also necessary for the proper absorption of calcium. Without enough calcium your bones can weaken. Deficiency in vitamin K is rare, but can be caused by antibiotic use or malabsorption syndromes (where the body has trouble absorbing nutrients through the digestive system).

It is important for adult males to have 120 micrograms of vitamin K each day, while adult females need 90 micrograms. As with all vitamins, a balanced diet is the best way of ensuring an adequate supply, but supplements can be used when this is not adequate or possible. Always consult with your doctor before taking any supplements.

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