Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is mainly involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism. It is found in many plant and animal foods. Although its deficiency is rare in adults, it is common in newborns.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is mainly involved in blood coagulation and bone metabolism. It is found in many plant and animal foods. Although its deficiency is rare in adults, it is common in newborns.

There is no special need for daily supplementation, except for some diseases.

There are two types of vitamin K:

  • Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) : It is synthesized from plants and taken from the diet.
  • Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone) : It is synthesized by the human intestinal microbiota. It is commonly found in fermented foods and animal products.

The body stores vitamin K. The amount that can be stored is very small. Small amounts of vitamin K are used more than once in the oxidation-reduction cycle. Anticoagulant drugs (warfarin, coumadin, etc.) affect this cycle and reduce coagulation.

Where to get vitamin K?

Vitamin K is found in many plant and animal products. These:

  • Vegetables (spinach, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, soybeans, etc.)
  • Turnip,
  • Asparagus,
  • Tomatoes,
  • Green tea,
  • Vegetable oils (canola oil etc.),
  • Whole grains (wheat, oats, etc.),
  • Red meat,
  • Chicken meat,
  • Offal (liver, kidney, etc.),
  • Milk and milk products,

What are the functions of vitamin K?

  • Regulates blood coagulation,
  • Prevents excessive bleeding
  • Regulates bone metabolism
  • Strengthens cognitive functions,
  • Protects the skin
  • It reduces the risk of heart diseases (stroke, heart attack, etc.) and hypertension.

How much vitamin K is needed?

  • 0 – 1 year old child: 2 mcg/day
  • 1-3 years old child: 30 mcg/day
  • Children 4-8 years: 55 mcg/day
  • 9-13 years old child: 60 mcg/day
  • Boy 14 years and older: 75 mg/day
  • Girl 14 years and older: 90 mcg/cday
  • Pregnancy period: 90 mcg/day
  • Lactation period: 90 mcg/day

What happens in vitamin K deficiency?

Vitamin K deficiency is rare. Some conditions or diseases can cause a deficiency:

  • Not enought feeding,
  • Absorption disorder (Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, surgical removal of a part of the intestines, etc.),
  • Use of blood thinners (warfarin, comuadin etc.),
  • Cystic fibrosis,
  • Celiac Disease,
  • Deterioration of intestinal flora due to antibiotic use,
  • Liver diseases,
  • Newborn babies.

Possible symptoms and diseases that can be seen in vitamin K deficiency include:

  • Prolongation of bleeding time (circumcision is seen more clearly in operations),
  • Bruising on the skin,
  • Blood in stool,
  • Intraoral, gingival, nose bleeding,
  • Delay in wound healing.



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