Vitamin K. Foods containing vitamin K

One of the important substances for the normal functioning of the human body is vitamin K. It was discovered in 1929 during a special experiment on chickens.

Successful experiment

The essence of the experiment was to identify the consequences of cholesterol deficiency in chickens. The synthetic cholesterol-free diet on which the birds were kept led to the discovery of a previously unknown organic compound, an antihemorrhagic vitamin that directly affects blood coagulability. The lack of cholesterol, which appeared as a result of the diet, led to a hemorrhage in the muscles and subcutaneous fat. An attempt to restore balance with purified cholesterol was unsuccessful. Then scientists used the grain of cereals, which beneficially affected the condition of the subjects. Among the substances that make up the grains, there was a group of vitamins, which contributed to the increase in blood coagulability.

The name of vitamin K: how it was

The name of the vitamin was suggested by the Danish scientist Henrik Dam, who took part in the study.

For the first time information on Koagulationsvitamin (translated from German as "coagulation vitamin") appeared in a German publication, after which the substance was named vitamin K. Its discovery was made by Henrik Dam and American biochemist Edward Doisy (who was able to obtain a substance with antihemorrhagic properties from rotting Fish meal) by the Nobel Prize winners. It was presented to scientists in 1943 for the discovery and study of the chemical structure of vitamin K.

Vitamins of the group K: K1, K2, K3, K4

The substance has natural and synthetic forms that differ in properties.

K1 (phylloquinone) is a fat-soluble vitamin, which is digested with bile. It regulates the processes of blood clotting in the body, is responsible for the healing of wounds and the stopping of bleeding. If a person has a deficiency of this substance, then development of diseases of the bile duct and gall bladder is possible.

Vitamin K1 can be poorly absorbed by the body of a person or not digested at all. This is mainly due to diseases of the intestine and liver: hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, colitis. They lead to a decrease in the body's ability to absorb vitamin K, as well as a lack of animal and vegetable fats.

Vitamin K1 is found in large amounts in pork liver, alfalfa, fish meal, grapes, kiwi, avocado and green leafy vegetables (in lettuce, chicken, romaine salad, lettuce, spinach, parsley, cabbage, asparagus), vegetable oils.

K2 - bacterial menaquinone. This vitamin is produced in the human intestines by useful bacteria. It stops capillary and parenchymal hemorrhages, promotes the healing of wounds.

The lack of vitamin K is most often associated with osteoporosis and coronary heart disease, in which there is a violation of the balance of microflora in the large intestine. Diseases and reception of antibiotics, a lack of fiber leads to a decrease in the production of vitamin in the body.

The source of vitamin K2 is dairy products (cottage cheese, milk, fermented milk, sour cream, kefir, butter); Animal products (eggs, meat, fish oil, pork and beef liver) and beneficial bacteria.

Synthetic forms include vitamins K3 (menadione), K4 and K5. They are mainly used in plant growing and animal husbandry.

Causes of vitamin deficiency

Among the main reasons for the development of vitamin deficiency, scientists call a violation of absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the intestine. This is due to the fact that the flow of bile into the intestine (in particular, with such a disease as obstructive jaundice) stops abruptly.

An interesting fact is that in normal conditions (maintenance of the physical form, proper sleep regimen, rational nutrition), vitamin K deficiency practically does not occur. This is due to the constant production of the element, albeit in small amounts, by intestinal bacteria.

Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency

Deficiency of vitamin K can be expressed in such symptoms:

• Increased fatigue;

• Bleeding gums;

• Subcutaneous hemorrhage;

• Poorly healing, bleeding wounds;

• Bleeding from the nose;

• Hypoprothrombinemia;

• Painful menstruation;

• Gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

The use of vitamin K in medicine

Medical workers often use vitamin K. Its use is especially important before surgery, with severe menstrual bleeding, with osteoporosis, with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (enteritis, ulcer, enterocolitis, cholelithiasis). Vitamin is produced in the form of tablets and solution. In no case can not self-prescribe this drug. The only suitable for your body is the doctor.

Vitamins containing vitamin K, in addition to their direct use, also contribute to the absorption of calcium and are prescribed to patients who need to strengthen bones and maintain their strength. Especially it concerns people in the age of.

Contraindications

Vitamin K is not as harmless as it may seem. It is contraindicated in people taking anticoagulants and having an increased risk of blood clots. This is due to the fact that in combination with it, these drugs increase the risk of blood clots.

Also vitamin K is not prescribed to patients suffering from allergies and having increased blood clotting and sensitivity to the drug.

Detailed consultation with a doctor is mandatory if you have been prescribed vitamin K. Instructions for using the medication will help determine the correct dosage.

Symptoms of an overdose of vitamin K

When trying to normalize the level of vitamin K in the body should be very careful: an overdose of this substance - an extremely rare phenomenon, but it also occurs when large amounts of it enter the blood.

If you have the following symptoms, you should consult a specialist for advice:

• nausea;

• Subcutaneous hemorrhage;

• Bloody vomiting (especially in newborns);

• Increased sweating;

• headache;

• diarrhea;

• Dry skin;

• Bleeding gums;

• depression;

• In rare cases, spontaneous abortions are possible in pregnant women or malformations of the fetus.

Lack of vitamin K: effects

Lack of vitamin in the body leads to the fact that even the slightest scratch bleeds for a long time, insignificant traumas leave large bruises, and blood from the gums or nose is rather difficult to stop.

There is a high probability of osteoporosis. For women, vitamin deficiency is fraught with abundant and prolonged menstruation, which is accompanied by weakness, irritability, hypersensitivity and pain syndrome.

In newborns, a vitamin deficiency manifests itself in the development of hemorrhagic disease. Hypovitaminosis in them is most often caused by the absence of microflora (up to the 4th-5th day of postnatal life), which produces vitamin K. On the 2nd-4th day after the birth, the baby may begin bleeding from the umbilical remains, melena, metrorrhagia, and in The worst case and cerebral hemorrhage, lung, adrenal gland or liver. Preterm and hypotrophic children are especially at risk of avitaminosis.

It is interesting that if people with a low level of vitamin K enter it into the body, the processes of blood clotting will not accelerate. This means that the effect of the element on blood coagulation is only indirect.

In avitaminosis, in addition to hypoprothrombinemia (insufficient production of prothrombin), there is also a violation of synthesis and a decrease in the concentration in the blood of proconvertin, which is one of the key factors in the process of blood coagulation. With sepsis, gynecological and typhoid bleeding, gastric ulcer, bleeding with severe hypoprothrombinemia, vitamins containing vitamin K can be successfully used. They help replenish the missing element and do not disturb important liver functions.

Where is vitamin K contained?

A sufficient number of vegetables and fruits include vitamin K. What foods contain this element?

Children receive it from cow's milk and mother's breast milk. Despite the fact that it contains a small amount of vitamin, breastfeeding promotes the transfer of maternal factors of coagulation to the infant and reduces the likelihood of developing hemorrhagic disease. Nowadays in maternity hospitals, newborns are injected with a vitamin to prevent bleeding and vitamin deficiency. Contains vitamin K and baby food.

Adults also need vitamin K. Where is this element contained in addition to the products already mentioned?

From products of vegetable origin it is:

• Barberry, blackberry, clover, shepherd's bag, peppermint, hawthorn, immortelle, dog rose, nettle leaves, rowan berries, yarrow, violet, bird cherry, tartar;
• Brussels, color, white cabbage, broccoli, green radish, zucchini, cucumbers, peas, potatoes, beets, tomatoes, carrots, carrot tops, pumpkin;
• Cereals;
• Corn, bananas, avocados, peaches, oranges,
• Sea kale, mustard leaf, Swiss chard;
• green tea;
• soybean oil.

Many multivitamin complexes, medicinal preparations and food additives also contain vitamin K.

The daily dose of the vitamin is as follows:

• For infants - 5-15 mcg;
• For children - 10-60 mkg (depending on age and sex);
• For nursing mothers - 130-140 mcg;
• For pregnant women - 80-120 mcg;
• For an adult person - 70-120 mcg.

The role of vitamin K in human life

The value of vitamin K in the life of the human body is great: it participates in the production of four proteins (among which one of the most important - prothrombin) directly involved in the processes of blood clotting.

In addition, vitamin K promotes the growth, strengthening, mineralization of bone tissue through regulation of the production of osteocalcin (a protein that keeps calcium in the blood). Correct functioning of the kidneys largely depends on it.

Given all these factors, do not forget about the benefits of proper nutrition. You should eat a large number of vegetables, fruits, herbs, dairy and meat products, which give the body not only the necessary energy and strength, but also a variety of vitamins, including not so famous but equally important vitamins of the K. group.