Vitamin K helps to regulate the process of blood coagulation by assisting in the conversion certain coagulation factors into their mature forms. Without vitamin K, our bodies would be unable to control clot formation.

Hemostasis includes three steps that occur in a rapid sequence: (1) vascular spasm, or vasoconstriction, a brief and intense contraction of blood vessels; (2) formation of a platelet plug; and (3) blood clotting or coagulation, which reinforces the platelet plug with fibrin mesh that acts as a glue to hold the clot …

Here’s how the process works:

• Injury. A cut on the skin or an internal injury creates a small tear in a blood vessel wall, which causes blood flow.
• Vessel constriction.
• Platelet plug.
• Fibrin clot.

Platelets (a type of blood cell) and proteins in your plasma (the liquid part of blood) work together to stop the bleeding by forming a clot over the injury.

The clotting mechanism involves the circulatory system which includes the lineage of blood cells and blood vessels.

The signs and symptoms associated with vitamin K deficiency may include:

• Easy bruising.
• Oozing from nose or gums.
• Excessive bleeding from wounds, punctures, and injection or surgical sites.
• Heavy menstrual periods.
• Bleeding from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
• Blood in the urine and/or stool.

Getting adequate amounts of vitamin D and vitamin K is essential for your health. But some sources claim that supplementing with vitamin D is harmful if you are low in vitamin K.

Vitamin K1 is primarily found in leafy green vegetables, while K2 is most abundant in fermented foods and some animal products. Vitamin K2 may be absorbed better by the body and some forms may stay in the blood longer than vitamin K1. These two things may cause K1 and K2 to have different effects on your health.

Vitamin K helps to make four of the 13 proteins needed for blood clotting, which stops wounds from continuously bleeding so they can heal. People who are prescribed anticoagulants (also called blood thinners) to prevent blood clots from forming in the heart, lung, or legs are often informed about vitamin K.

If you suddenly increase your intake of vitamin K intake in your diet, it can have an unintended consequence. It can actually decrease the effect of warfarin, says cardiologist Leslie Cho, MD. “This is because vitamin K is an essential part of the chemical process for forming blood clots in your body,” she says.

How much vitamin K do I need? Adults need approximately 1 microgram a day of vitamin K for each kilogram of their body weight. For example, someone who weighs 65kg would need 65 micrograms a day of vitamin K, while a person who weighs 75kg would need 75 micrograms a day.

Most people get enough vitamin K from their diets. There have been no adverse effects of vitamin K seen with the levels found in food or supplements. However, this does not rule out danger with high dose. Researchers have not set a maximum safe dose.

When taken by mouth: The two forms of vitamin K (vitamin K1 and vitamin K2) are LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken appropriately. Vitamin K1 10 mg daily and vitamin K2 45 mg daily have been safely used for up to 2 years.

Naturally, vitamin K exists in two bioactive forms mainly phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamin K2). Phylloquinone is mostly found in green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, broccoli, and vegetable oils.

We don’t need Statins. I think vitamin K2 and vitamin C are reducing the plaque buildup in my arteries. A friend and I took Vitamin K2 as Mk7 for six months and then had a Calcium Score preformed at our local hospital radiology dept. We both saw significant drops in the score.

For the Consumer

• Decreased appetite.
• decreased movement or activity.
• difficulty in breathing.
• enlarged liver.
• general body swelling.
• muscle stiffness.
• paleness.
• yellow eyes or skin.

There is no evidence that vitamin K supplementation, in physiologic or even higher doses, causes serum enzyme elevations, liver injury or jaundice.

Our bodies need calcium to build and maintain bones. When it breaks down calcium in our bodies, vitamin K2 activates a protein that helps the mineral bind to our bones to do its job. While research is ongoing, studies show a higher K2 intake improves bone density and reduces the risk of bone fractures.

This optimal dose (45 mg/day) for the treatment of osteoporosis is about 150–180 times greater than the recommended daily dietary intake of vitamin K (250–300 μg) [8].

Vitamin D has been shown to have an anticoagulant effect. A decrease in 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration has also been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism.

Vitamin K is necessary for normal blood clotting. It is also needed for healthy bones and other tissues. The effects of vitamin K toxicity can include anemia due to rupture of red blood cells and jaundice.

To diagnose a vitamin K deficiency, a doctor will ask about a person’s medical history to see if they have any risk factors. The doctor may use a coagulation test called the prothrombin time or PT test. They take a small blood sample and then add chemicals to observe how long it takes to clot.

Pain, swelling, or soreness at the injection site may occur. Temporary flushing, taste changes, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, or bluish lips/skin/nails may also rarely occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Risks. No tolerable upper limit has been determined for vitamin K. Toxicity is rare and unlikely to result from eating foods containing vitamin K. However, taking any type of supplement can lead to toxicity.

Don’t forget Vitamin K! We ALWAYS recommend taking vitamin D with vitamin K2 if you are supplementing. Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin Vitamin D increases calcium levels in the body.