What is vitamin K?
Vitamin K or naphthoquinone is part of the fat-soluble compounds, which are stored in the liver and released in small doses whenever necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to take them on a regular basis, such as through foods.
What is the role of vitamin K?
Vitamin K or naphthoquinone plays a fundamental role in the process of blood coagulation and ensures the functionality of proteins that are formed and maintained in the bones.
Which foods are rich in vitamin K?
Vitamin K or naphthoquinone is mostly present in vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, kale, turnip greens, as well as in liver. Vitamin K is also produced by the intestine.
What is the daily requirement of vitamin K?
The daily requirement of vitamin K or naphthoquinone is about 1 mg per kilogram of body weight, an amount that is satisfactory by a normal diet.
Vitamin K deficiency
Since vitamin K or naphthoquinone plays a fundamental role in the process of blood coagulation, lack of vitamin K can cause uncontrolled bleeding. The deficiency however, is very rare and may result only in times of prolonged antibiotic treatment or prevention of intestinal absorption.
Other side effects of Vitamin K deficiency include bone fractures, osteoporosis and forms of arthrosis.
Excessive vitamin K intake
In adults, excessive intake of vitamin K or naphthoquinone is rare and so are its side effects: vomiting, anemia, thrombosis, excessive sweating, hot flashes and feeling of tightness in the chest.
In newborns, excessive intake of vitamin K or naphthoquinone is caused by administration of high doses of vitamin supplements. Symptoms may include jaundice – yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes.
