Vitamin K has many important roles in good health

Vitamin K can be found in three forms, K1, K2 and K3. K1 and K2 can be formed by natural bacteria in the intestines, K3 is a plant derividive. Vitamin K is involved in the carboxylation of some forms of glutamate residues in proteins to produce gamma-carboxyglutamate residues. These proteins include the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII (proconvertin), IX (Christmas factor), X (Stuart factor), protein C, protein S, protein Zv and a growth-arrest-specific factor (Gas6). K3 ( Menadione) is a fat-soluble vitamin precursor that is converted into menaquinone in the liver. The primary known function of vitamin K is to aid in the normal blood clotting, but it is also important in normal bone calcificaton. In the absence of vitamin K, the carboxylation can't occur and the proteins that are synthesized are biologically inactive.
Vitamin K plays an important role in the carboxylation of certain glutamate residues in proteins to form gamma-carboxyglutamate residues. These proteins have in common the requirement to be post-translationally modified by carboxylation of glutamic acid residues (forming gamma-carboxyglutamic acid) in order to become biologically active. These proteins include the vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII (proconvertin), IX (Christmas factor), X (Stuart factor), protein C, protein S, protein Zv and a growth-arrest-specific factor (Gas6). Menadione is a fat-soluble vitamin precursor that is converted into menaquinone in the liver. The primary known function of vitamin K is to assist in the normal clotting of blood, but it may also play a role in normal bone calcificaton. Without vitamin K, the carboxylation does not occur and the proteins that are synthesized are biologically inactive.
Vitamin K is involved in blood clotting and bone metabolism (carboxylation of osteocalcin). High levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin and low levels of vitamin K in the blood are associated with oestoepenia and low bone mineral density which leads to an increased risk of hip fracture. Vitamin K supplements can improve bone density in postmenopausal women. Vitamin K helps guard against calcification of arteries and other soft tissue of the body. Calcification of organs and other soft tissue is commonly seen in the aging process. Anbother possible role of Vitamin K may be in the regulation of blood sugar. Vitamin K helps the pancreas, which makes insulin, it has the second highest amount of vitamin K in the body.

Vitamin K and blood clotting

The primary function of Vitamin K's is to regulate normal blood clotting (due to its involvment in the synthesis of prothrombin). When an injury creates a tear in a blood vessel, the process of Blood clotting begins automatically. Vitamin K regulates normal blood clotting by assisting in the body transport calcium. Vitamin K dependent coagulation factors appear to enhance the action of thrombin (the activated form of prothrombin) by promoting its association with phospholipids in cell membranes

Vitamin K and bone health

Vitamin K supplements dramatically improves bone health thus reducing the risk of bone fractures, especailly in postmenopausal women who are in the high risk group for osteoporosis. Three vitamin-K dependent proteins have been isolated in bone. The research has shown that higher vitamin K levels correspond to greater bone density. There are many studies whch also show that low levels of vitamin K has a dramatic negative effect on bone health, and has been found in those with osteoporosis.

Vitamin K and liver diseases

Vitamin K plays an important role in the management of liver disease. Vitamin K helps in liver malabsorption, jaundice and is used to reduce risk of bleeding in liver disease, or in association with long-term use of aspirin or antibiotics. Vitamin K has been used in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, and with vitamin C to treat morning sickness. Newborns are at risk for bleeding in the brain because of the trauma of coming through the birth canal during delivery.

 

 

 

 
 
 
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