Vitamin K is one of the essential vitamins for the optimal functioning of the human body, but it often seems to be neglected and undervalued compared to other popular vitamins, such as vitamin C or vitamin D. However, the importance of vitamin K is not can be underestimated, because it plays a crucial role in the health of the human body.
Although it is known in particular as an antihemorrhagic factor, which prevents the body from bleeding and speeds up the healing of wounds, Vitamin K also has other benefits, which turn it into a reliable ally of the body in the fight against diseases.
What is Vitamin K?
What we currently call Vitamin K is, in fact, a group of fat-soluble vitamins, which dissolve in fats and are necessary for the production of specific proteins, called coagulation factors, which help prevent excessive bleeding.
Also, K vitamins are involved in calcium metabolism, contribute to bone health and prevent cognitive decline, which occurs with age. In this sense, the latest research showed that people over 70 years old, who had high levels of Vitamin K, obtained excellent results regarding episodic verbal memory.
Benefits of Vitamin K
Vitamin K2 can help prevent cognitive decline and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s; it is necessary for the normal functioning of the liver, through the production of proteins involved in the essential liver processes; plays an essential role in normal blood coagulation, helping to produce coagulation factors in the liver; adequate consumption of vitamin K2 contributes to maintaining bone density, reducing the risk of fractures and helps to activate proteins that are involved in the absorption and use of calcium in the bones; following some clinical studies, it was concluded that vitamin K can reduce the recurrence of liver cancer, and in the case of men, regular consumption of vitamin K2 can reduce the risk of prostate cancer; stops excess calcium in skin elastin and helps maintain its elasticity, delaying the appearance of wrinkles; it helps to prevent the deposition of calcium in the arteries, which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis or arterial calcification.
Sources of Vitamin K
There are three types of K vitamins:
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone); Vitamin K2 (menaquinone); Vitamin K3 (menadione).
One of the richest sources of Vitamin K1 is Brussels sprouts. Even if this is not widely used in Romanian cuisine, there are some recipes with Brussels sproutstasty and easy to prepare, which can bring you a generous intake of Vitamin K.
Other food sources from which we can take this vitamin are green leafy vegetables: spinach, kale, lettuce, parsley, coriander, stevia, rocket, macris, broccoli, cauliflower, but also rapeseed or olive oil.
Some products of animal origin contain Vitamin K2 in fairly large proportions: cheese, butter, yogurt, liver, kidneys, beef, chicken, salmon, sardines, herring or egg yolk.
Possible interactions between Vitamin K and other drugs
Although drug interactions with vitamin K are not very common, there are some drugs that can affect vitamin K levels or be affected by its consumption.
Here are some examples:
Oral anticoagulants (such as warfarin) – high consumption of foods rich in vitamin K can reduce their effectiveness, and supplements with this vitamin can interfere with the action of anticoagulants; Broad-spectrum antibiotics, such as cephalosporins and penicillins, can affect the intestinal flora, and this can lead to temporary vitamin K deficiencies in the body; Anticonvulsants, such as phenobarbital and phenytoin, can reduce vitamin K levels, and this can decrease its effectiveness in blood clotting; Cholestyramine, used in the treatment of high cholesterol, can interfere with the absorption of vitamin K and can lead to its deficiencies in the body.
Vitamin K is essential for maintaining our general health. Ensuring an adequate intake through food can significantly contribute to maintaining our long-term health. It is always recommended to consult a nutritionist or your doctor before taking vitamin K supplements.
PHOTO: shutterstock.com
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2023-07-18 16:00:46
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