The role of vitamin K

There are various vitamins in the human body. The lack of any vitamin will bring some adverse symptoms to the human body. Vitamin K is also a type of vitamin. It is a nutrient that can ensure blood coagulation. If the human body is deficient in vitamin K, it can easily lead to blood coagulation difficulties, which has a great impact on human health.

1. Vitamin K group

The vitamin K complex includes vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), vitamin K2 (farnoquinone), and vitamin K3 (menadione). Vitamin K1 and K2 exist in nature. Vitamin K1 is in green leaves, vitamin K2 is synthesized by bacteria, and vitamin K3 is a synthetic vitamin with higher efficacy than vitamin K1 and K2. Vitamin K is resistant to heat, but easily destroyed by acids, alkalis and oxidants. In addition, it is unstable to light, so we must store it in a colored bottle (preferably dark colors) when storing it.

2. The role of vitamin K

Vitamin K, which is required by the human body in small amounts but is easily deficient in newborns, is an important vitamin that promotes normal blood coagulation and bone growth. Dark green vegetables and yogurt are easily available vitamin K supplements in the daily diet.

The human body requires very little vitamin K, but it is necessary to maintain normal blood coagulation, reduce heavy bleeding during menstruation, and prevent internal bleeding and hemorrhoids. People who often have nosebleeds should get more vitamin K from natural foods.

Vitamin K is divided into two major categories. One is fat-soluble vitamins, namely vitamin K1 extracted from green plants and vitamin K2 synthesized by intestinal bacteria (such as Escherichia coli). The other type is water-soluble vitamins, which are artificially synthesized, namely vitamin K3 and K4. The most important are vitamins K1 and K2. Fat-soluble vitamin K requires bile for absorption, but water-soluble vitamin K does not.

3. Sequelae of insufficient food intake

1. When the concentration of prothrombin and other coagulation factors in the blood is low, it leads to => Bleeding.

2. Neonatal hemorrhage - If the liver of a newborn cannot synthesize prothrombin in the first week after birth, the blood will coagulate slowly because vitamin K cannot be obtained from the placenta and there are few symbiotic bacteria in the intestines and the blood cannot be produced by itself. Therefore, vitamin K should be given for prevention, but not in excess, so as not to cause hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice, and infantile anemia.

3. Bile deficiency, gallstones, and obstructive jaundice.

4. Small intestinal absorption disorder - bile duct disease, intestinal symptoms.

5. Diarrhea - Excessive intake of mineral oil leads to poor absorption of vitamin K.

6. Excessive use of antibiotics causes an imbalance in intestinal bacteria and inability to produce vitamin K2.