Vitamin K is also known as Phytonadione. It is an essential vitamin for the body that helps to build strong bones, maintain healthy blood vessels, and also enable the body to heal wounds quickly. Vitamin K1 is rich in foods like green plants, similarly, Vitamin K2 can be found in fermented foods enabling the body to run smoothly. Phytonadione helps in blood clotting and thus helps in wound healing. It falls among the essential 13 vitamins that the human body needs.

Usually, there are 2 types of Vitamin K: Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2. The different bacteria that synthesize Phytonadione are bacillus, Bacteroides fragilis, lactobacillus, bacillus, eubacterium centum, Enterococcus faecium, and Enterobacter agglomerans. If you are looking for more information like its benefits, functions, side effects, and deficiency, then follow this article to get more information.

Sources of Vitamin K

Phytonadione is an essential vitamin for the body. Therefore, one must get a sufficient amount of this vitamin. By following the below-discussed Phytonadione sources one can easily get a sufficient amount of this vitamin for the body.

• Leafy vegetables: One of the best Phytonadione foods is leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale, and collard green consist of a good amount of Phytonadione. Leafy vegetables are the powerhouse of Vitamin K. Similarly, raw spinach in foods like salad is also a good source of vitamin.
• Vegetables: Apart from green leafy vegetables, other types of vegetables like roasted brussels sprouts, broccoli, scallion, frozen okra, green cabbage, raw watercress, etc. are the best sources.
• Fruits: Fruits like avocado, berries, and apples are good sources. A slice of avocado consists of nearly 50 micrograms of Phytonadione, blueberries have 14 micrograms, whereas apples have 5 micrograms. Even though the apples consist of a lower amount of Vitamin K but easily get it from the market.

Functions of Phytonadione

The primary function of Phytonadione is to coagulate the blood. Here are several other functions like enhancing bone health, lowering the level of heart diseases, and also enhancing cognition. It is essential to lower the hazardous side effects of the different blood-thinning medicines.

Aids Bone Health

Vitamin D, Vitamin K improves the calcium-binding action required for the healthy functions of our gums and bones. It also helps to strengthen the skeletal structure which enhances bone density and significantly decreases the risk of fracture in aged women. Furthermore, it also treats osteoporosis and bone loss. Apart from this, numerous medical studies found that Vitamin K can also decrease the risk of peripheral arterial disease and also fends off the mineralization in the walls of the arteries. Another function is to enable the heart to pump blood efficiently to keep the blood pressure at a controlled rate and promote cardiac health.

Role in Dental Health

In the dental health category also Vitamin K provides numerous benefits. It helps in the production of osteocalcin, which is a vital protein required for the growth of new dentin. Phytonadione strengthens the teeth from their roots and also prevents the decay of the tooth. Moreover, in numerous cases, it has been found that Phytonadione also improves cognitive health and memory. The topical use of Vitamin K has a high significance in eliminating stretch marks, and scars due to bruises. Similarly, Vitamin K treats different skin problems like pimples, redness, etc.

Coagualtion

The primary Vitamin K benefit is to prevent excessive bleeding due to injuries. Even with the smallest injury, it helps to form a blood clot to stop the bleeding. It plays an essential role in the formation of a pro-blood protein known as prothrombin and an anti-blood-clotting protein known as protein C, S, Z, etc. Similarly, Phytonadione plays a major role in enzyme formation known as gamma-glutamyl carboxylase which will enable the protein osteocalcin to work effectively.

Mental Health

Apart from this Vitamin K is also beneficial for the body as it enhances episodic memory in aged people. It was found that high levels of Vitamin K like phylloquinone increase verbal episodic memory. Similarly, other benefits are to maintaining the level of blood pressure and enabling people to have a normal blood pressure level. An adequate amount of Phytonadione in the body prevents the mineralization of the arterial walls and makes the blood flow efficiently throughout the body.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Vitamin K deficiency can occur due to antibiotic treatment or the body cannot easily absorb it from the intestines. Some people who have diseases like gallbladder disease, liver damage, abdominal problem, celiac, etc are more prone to this deficiency. The absence of Vitamin K in the body can cause problems like blood in urine, easy bruising, bleeding from the gums or nose, etc. Similarly, if the body does not get an adequate amount it leads to chronic deficiency problems like anemia, hematoma, petechial, and coagulopathy.

Side Effects of Vitamin K

Consuming Phtyonadione foods have no side effects. Both the types of Vitamin K i.e K1 and K2 are safe. However, some people may have side effects like diarrhea, stomach upset, and muscle stiffness.

Thus, following this article easily quenches the thirst for knowledge of Vitamin K like benefits, deficiency, and other detailed information about the essential fat-soluble vitamin for the body.