Vitamin K deficiency

Vitamin K deficiency is rare and usually only occurs in people who have prolonged diarrhea, obstructivejaundice, liver disease or malabsorption problems such as celiac disease. It can also occur in the elderly and in newborn and premature babies.
Signs of deficiency are prolonged clotting time, easy bleeding and bruising, frequent nosebleeds, blood-stained urine and bleeding from the gut.

Absorption and metabolism

Vitamin K requires the presence of fats and bile in the gut in order to be absorbed. It is absorbed from the upper small intestine and transported to the liver.

Osteoporosis

Vitamin K deficiency may contribute to osteoporosis as low levels have been found in sufferers of the disease. In a Japanese study published in 1997, researchers investigated the relationship between bone mineral density, vitamin K levels and other biological parameters of bone metabolism in 71 post- menopausal women and 24 women with menopausal symptoms receiving hormone replacement therapy. The results showed that women with reduced bone mineral density had lower levels of vitamin Kl and K2 than those with normal bone mineral density. Low levels have also been seen in osteoporotic men.

Vitamin K Categories:

Vitamin K
Vitamin K health
Vitamin K deficiency
Vitamin K sources
Vitamin K recommended daily
Vitamin K overdose
Vitamin K supplements
Vitamin K interactions

Other Vitamins:

Vitamin A
Carotenes
Beta carotene
Lycopene
Lutein
Thiamin
Riboflavin
Niacin
Vitamin B6
Folate
Vitamin B12
Biotin
Pantothenic acid
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K