| www.AdoraCalcium.com | Order Adora Calcium Supplements |
March 2010 - Vol 5 Issue 3Why We Need Vitamin K If you’re a regular reader of this newsletter, then you already know about all the amazing benefits of vitamin D. Chances are pretty good that you’ve also heard that vitamin A is essential for eye health, while vitamin E is important for the heart. So, that leaves just one last fat-soluble vitamin – K. What exactly does vitamin K do? Vitamin K benefits Of the fat-soluble vitamins, nutrients that the body can store, vitamin K gets the least attention. This is not surprising since vitamin K deficiency is very rare. In fact, the body is actually able to make vitamin K via bacteria in the large intestines. In addition, the nutrient is widely-available in the diet. But, that doesn’t mean vitamin K is not important. On the contrary, it could be considered our top “crisis” nutrient, because it kicks into gear when we are injured. The “K” in vitamin K comes from the German word koagulation, which means to form a clot. Anytime we get a cut or abrasion that causes bleeding, vitamin K helps to stop that bleeding. Without enough vitamin K even a minor injury could lead to life-threatening blood loss. Vitamin K for bone health Studies have indicated that vitamin K also assists with bone metabolism. However, this is a somewhat controversial topic since the scientific findings correlating vitamin K with osteoporosis prevention and increased bone density tend to vary. In general, most researchers believe that vitamin K works with calcium and vitamin D to assist with bone mineralization. However, supplementation with vitamin K is generally not necessary unless an individual is already deficient in the nutrient. Blood thinners and vitamin K While vitamin K is essential to optimal health and healing, its role in blood clotting can cause challenges for some people. For instance, anyone on blood thinning medication (Coumadin, Warfarin) must be careful not to get too much vitamin K because the nutrient could reduce their medication’s effectiveness. Patients on blood thinners should consume a consistent amount of vitamin K and maintain monthly monitoring by their physician to insure that their bleeding time is safe for their condition. Although vitamin K can be a challenge for some individuals, its importance to health is indisputable. Luckily, most of us are well-equipped to effortlessly meet our needs without getting too much. To learn more, see Vitamin K Foods. Adora Calcium Update on Vitamin K
References
|
|
