Boosting Vitamin K – Needed for Good Health

Boosting Vitamin K

Chang Duong

Vitamin K was discovered by a Danish scientist, Henrik Dam. From his research, he named it vitamin K, which is abbreviated from the word Koagulationsvitamin.

In English, this means the “coagulation vitamin”.  Also, a second biochemist, Edward Doisy continued Dam’s work. He also discovered the role that vitamin K plays in the proper function of the body.

Additionally, both scientists received the Nobel Prize in 1943 for their amazing work.

Years later, we now are beginning to better understand the multiple functions this coagulation vitamin performs in the body – truly amazing.

Above all, Vitamin K is essential for general health and well being.

Vitamin K aids during blood clotting. It is also helpful in preventing Alzheimer’s, heart disease and cancer. Unless you are a person requiring blood thinner medication, there is no reason why you should not be taking plenty of vitamin K in your diet.

Vitamin K rich foods include cooked or raw green leafy veggies like cabbage, cucumber, asparagus, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, green beans, okra, lettuce, and the like.

Also, the daily requirement of vitamin K in this form is around 120 micrograms (μg).

Benefits of Vitamin K

• As mentioned above, vitamin K is vital for blood clotting.
• In Osteoporosis Treatment it helps restore bone density.
• Also used to treat patients with liver disease.
• Vitamin K lowers the total cholesterol of people who are on dialysis treatment.
• In the treatment of  spider veins on the skin, to remove scars, stretch marks, burns, and bruises.
• Topically it treats rosacea.
• Speeds up healing of the skin after surgery.

Getting enough vitamin K, is integral to good health and when there is a deficiency, a long list of health problems can develop.

There are 2 main types of vitamin K:

1. Vitamin K1 – Found on leafy vegetables. Also a good source of fiber.
2. Vitamin K2 – Found in fermented foods and animal products. Additionally,  the body produces its own vitamin K2 in the gut.

What to look for if you think you are Vitamin K deficient.

• Bruising easily.
• Your nose or your gums are oozing.
• Excessive bleeding from wounds or injections or from surgical areas.
• Women with heavy menstrual periods.
• Bleed from the GI (gastrointestinal) tract.
• Presence of blood in either the urine or stools.
• An increase in prothrombin time (tests used to detect and diagnose bleeding disorders or clotting).

Top 10 Vitamin K Rich Foods:

1. Green leafy vegetables: ½-cup: contains 444 micrograms
2. Natto (fermented soy): 2 ounces: contains 500 micrograms
3. Spring onions (scallions): ½-cup: contains 103 micrograms
4. Brussels sprouts: ½-cup: contains 78 micrograms
5. Cabbage: ½-cup: contains 82 micrograms
6. Broccoli: ½-cup: contains 46 micrograms
7. Dairy (fermented): – ½-cup: contains 10 micrograms
8. Prunes: ½- cup: contains 52 micrograms
9. Cucumbers: 1 medium cucumber: contains 49 micrograms
10. Dried basil: 1 tablespoon: contains 36 micrograms

Finally, Why Boosting Vitamin K is Important

Hence, it is important that the body stops bleeding, internally or externally. When a person is Vitamin K deficient, he or she will bleed easily, resulting in bleeding ulcers or great loss of blood during an accident. Therefore, keeping your vitamin K levels is very important. Hence, vitamin K is critical to keeping patients alive after trauma.

Finally, if you believe you are Vitamin K deficient, or your health needs bolstering, consult with your physician if Boosting Vitamin K is helpful to you.