Here to shed light on an often underappreciated nutrient – Vitamin K. In this enlightening journey, we’ll explore the wonders of Vitamin K, unveiling its roles, benefits, sources, and much more.
What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K, often overlooked in the nutrition sphere, plays some stellar roles in our body. It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that comes in two natural forms – Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone).
Vitamin K1 is found primarily in green leafy vegetables and is the most common dietary source of vitamin K. It is essential for blood clotting, a process that helps prevent excessive bleeding inside and outside the body.
Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is produced by gut bacteria and is also found in fermented foods and animal products. This form of vitamin K has been linked to bone and heart health, playing a vital role in directing calcium to bones and teeth where it’s needed and away from arteries where it could cause damage.
Health Benefits
Blood Clotting
Vitamin K plays a key role in the blood clotting process. This helps prevent excessive bleeding after an injury or surgery, essentially making vitamin K a lifesaver!
Bone Health
Vitamin K reduces the risk of osteoporosis by increasing the amount of certain proteins needed to maintain bone calcium. It is the silent hero behind the scenes, ensuring that our skeletal system remains strong.
Heart Health
Vitamin K helps prevent hardening of the arteries, a leading cause of heart disease. It ensures that calcium is delivered to our bones where we need it, rather than to our arteries where it can cause harm.
Wound Healing
Vitamin K is vital to the wound healing process due to its role in blood clotting. It helps in scabbing and allows the wound to heal effectively.
May Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Vitamin K may help prevent and treat type 2 diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity.
Cancer Prevention
Preliminary studies indicate that Vitamin K may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells. However, more research is needed in this area.
Side Effects
Blood Clotting Risk
Vitamin K plays a pivotal role in blood clotting. While this is usually a good thing, excessive intake can potentially lead to unwanted clot formation, particularly in people with conditions that increase the risk of clotting.
Interactions with Medications
Vitamin K can interfere with certain medications such as blood thinners like warfarin. If you’re taking such medication, it’s essential to maintain a consistent intake of Vitamin K and consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Allergic
Although rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to vitamin K, especially when taking supplements. Symptoms may include rash, difficulty breathing and swelling.
Potential Toxicity in Newborns
Although newborns are often given vitamin K injections to prevent serious bleeding disorders, too much may cause jaundice or may damage the liver. However, this is extremely rare.
Food Sources
Animal-Based Food Sources of Vitamin K
- Cheddar Cheese
- Butter
- Chicken
- Beef
- Crab
- Milk
- Shrimp
- Turkey
- Yogurt
- Egg yolks
Plant-Based Food Sources of Vitamin K
Other Vitamin K Sources
Best Overall: Bronson Vitamin K Triple Play at Amazon ($10)
Best Seller: Life Extension Super K at Amazon ($22)
Best Budget: NatureBell Vitamin K Complex at Amazon ($10)
Best Overall: Bronson Vitamin K Triple Play
- Triple The Support Complex: Provides both Vitamin K1 and two forms of Vitamin K2, Vitamin K2 MK4 (Menatetrenone-4) and Vitamin K2 MK7 (Menaquinone-7).
- Bone Health Support: Vitamin K Triple Play is scientifically formulated to help support strong bones.*
- Superior Quality: Laboratory tested and free of GMOs and Gluten. Bronson products are in-house tested and carefully manufactured by trained professionals in our state-of-the-art facility that is located in Hauppauge, New York.
- Trusted Since 1960: The pioneers of Bronson Vitamins were a group of pharmacists who witnessed the benefits of vitamins and mineral supplementation firsthand with their patients. Bronson Vitamins have been consistently mentioned by top medical professionals since our inception in 1960.
- Brand: Bronson
- Flavor: Unflavored
- Primary Supplement Type: Calcium
- Item Form: Capsule
- Diet Type: Gluten Free
Best Seller: Life Extension Super K
- Strong bones, healthy heart—Vitamin K helps maintain your body’s calcium balance, which affects everything from arterial health to bone density health. But it’s hard to get sufficient vitamin K from food. This formula provides a potent dose of 2600 mcg of vitamin K from both K1 and two forms of K2.
- Why you need a vitamin K supplement—Vitamin K1 is found in leafy green vegetables, but it’s hard for your body to absorb this nutrient even if a spinach salad is your go-to lunch.
- Vitamin K, hold the cheese—Vitamin K2 is in meat, eggs and cheeses. Many people limit these foods for health reasons, which can make it hard to get enough. And there’s more than one kind of K2 as well: this supplement has MK-4 and MK-7. MK-4 absorbs fast, while MK-7 stays active in your body much longer. Combining the two gives you the benefits of both.
- Ingredients matter—Sourced using only the finest raw ingredients with the purity and potency your body deserves. The majority of our products are non-GMO, gluten-free and manufactured in the USA—and a Certificate of Analysis is available for every product we produce.
- Live your healthiest life—For over 40 years, we’ve been developing advanced, effective formulas made with the highest standards and based on the latest scientific findings. We believe the answers to a healthier, richer life are within reach, and that rigorous scientific research is the path to get us there. That’s why so many of our nutritional formulas are designed using specific ingredients and amounts based on scientific studies.
- Product Note: Exposure to heat or sunlight may lead to melting/damage of product. Hence customers are expected to be available during the product delivery
- Brand: Life Extension
- Flavor: Unflavored
- Primary Supplement Type: Vitamin k , Vitamin K2 calcium
- Item Form: Softgel
- Diet Type: Gluten Free
Best Budget: NatureBell Vitamin K Complex
- Complete vitamin K complex softgels, 3 in 1 full spectrum formula with K1 and K2 as MK4 and MK7, infused with coconut oil to help absorb vitamin K’s fat-soluble nutrients.
- 300 coconut oil softgels, 2 softgel serving size, delivers 1,500mcg K1 as phytonadione with 1,000mcg K2 as menatetrenone (MK4) and 100mcg menaquinone (MK7) per dose, lasts up to a 150-day supply.
- Enjoy easily digested and absorbed full K vitamin benefits, supports heart, joint, bone and immune health, as well as calcium absorption in both men and women.
- Replenish natural vitamin K levels with NatureBell’s complete vitamin K complex, combining all forms helps with overall nutrient uptake and minimizes waste.
- Authentic non-GMO K vitamin supplements. Contains pure ingredients free of soy, dairy, gluten, preservatives, wheat, eggs, fish, and peanuts. All products are also 3rd party lab tested for safety and potency.
- Brand: NatureBell
- Flavor: Coconut
- Specific Uses For Product: Bone
- Item Form: Softgel
- Unit Count: 300.00 Count
Fun Facts
Fact 1: K for Koagulation
Ever wondered why it’s called Vitamin K? The ‘K’ comes from the German word ‘Koagulation’ (which translates to ‘coagulation’ in English), referring to the vitamin’s critical role in blood clotting.
Fact 2: Newborns Need a Boost
Vitamin K does not cross the placenta well, so newborns often need Vitamin K injections to prevent potentially life-threatening bleeding.
Fact 3: Light Sensitive
Vitamin K is sensitive to light, especially sunlight. Therefore, to preserve the Vitamin K content in food, it’s best to store green leafy vegetables and other Vitamin K-rich foods in a dark place.
Fact 4: Not a Solo Player
Vitamin K does not work alone. It requires fat to be absorbed properly in the body. So remember to pair Vitamin K-rich vegetables with healthy fat sources like olive oil or avocado.
Fact 5: Rare Deficiency
Vitamin K deficiency is fairly rare in adults as the nutrient is widely available in foods, and our gut bacteria also produce it. However, symptoms can include easy bruising and bleeding.
