Vitamin K

Vitamin K helps the blood to clot and prevent excessive bleeding.http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k Vitamin K supplements may be prescribed to help treat the following conditions: anticoagulation of the blood, bone fractures, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, prevention of hardening arteries, inflammatory bowel disease, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, kidney stones, nausea and vomiting while pregnant, osteopenia, osteoporosis, and thrombosis.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112

Vitamin K can sometimes interact with other medications. Vitamin K is used with the blood thinner coumadin (warfarin) in order to prevent a build up of coumadin in the system and cause an overdose.http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k Taking antibiotics and phenytoin, an anticonvulsant may reduce levels of vitamin K. A doctor may prescribe a vitamin K supplement.http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/vitamin-k-000998.htm

Sources of vitamin K come from the following foods: parsley, kale, spinach, mustard greens, turnip greens, swiss chard, collard greens, romaine lettuce, basil, thyme, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, asparagus, oregano, raw celery, kelp, black pepper, green beans, ground dried clove, cauliflower, tomato, green peas, raw carrots, cayenne pepper, red bell peppers, summer squash, avocado, miso, soybeans, cranberries, raw pumpkin seeds, cow's milk, pear, strawberries, papaya, and kidney beans.http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112 http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002407.htm

Individuals who have problems with absorption such as celiac disease, Crohn's disease, or colitis, who have an eating disorder, and have a poor diet may be deficient in vitamin K.http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k

The amount of vitamin K in a daily diet should be:

• Newborn to 6 months: 5 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• 6 to 12 months: 10 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• 1 to 3 years old: 15 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• 4 to 6 years old: 20 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• 7 to 10 years old: 30 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• 11 to 14 years old: 45 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• 15 to 18 years old: Females 55 mcg, Males 65 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• 19 to 24 years old: Females 60 mcg, Males 70 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• Ages 25 years old and up: Females 65 mcg, Males 80 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women: 65 mcghttp://www.webmd.com/vitamins-lifestyle-guide/supplement-guide-vitamin-k

• Bruisinghttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112
• Heavy menstrual bleedinghttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112
• Bleeding gumshttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112
• Bleeding in the digestive tracthttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112
• Nose bleedshttp://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=112

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.