Vitamin K

From IKE

Contents 1 Basics 2 Functions 3 Dietary Sources 4 Deficiency 5 Resources

Basics

• Includes two forms: K₁ and K₂
• Is a coenzyme for a carboxylase

Functions

necessary for the functioning of coagulation and anticoagulation

• Vitamin K deficiency manifests as the tendency to bleed excessively
• Vitamin K antagonists dicumarol and warfarin are anticoagulants
• Anticoagulants block the reduction of oxidized vitamin K, and prevent the γ-carboxylation reaction

Dietary Sources

• Vitamin K is contained in meat (liver) and vegetables, and is synthesized by intestinal bacteria
• Vitamin K₁ found in abundance in kale [1] [2]
• Vitamin K is found in a number of foods, including leafy greens, cauliflower and liver and liver oil

Deficiency

• Vitamin K deficiency can increase the risk of hemmorhage, especially in the newborn
• Babies usually have sterile intestines, so they don't have the intestinal bacteria that can produce Vitamin K
• Consequently, a standard practice is to inject Vitamin K shortly after birth
• Can be caused by liver disease, since the liver is necessary for processing lipids, and for the synthesis of many of the clotting factors
• Can result in bone density problems due to the inadequate production of bone proteins such as osteocalcin

Resources

• Harrison's Online: Vitamin K
• Merck:
  • Vitamin K Deficiency
  • Vitamin K Toxicity