Source of Vitamin K
- Low levels of vitamin K increase the risk of vertebral fractures -
Vitamin K is, together with vitamins A, D and E, a fat-soluble vitamin that is fat soluble and requires these nutrients to be transported by the body.
There are three active forms of vitamin K. Vitamin K1 or phylloquinone is the chemical that plants synthesize.
Abundant in leafy dark green (spinach, chard, chicory, broccoli and lettuce), and in small amounts in grains.
Phylloquinone is absorbed in the small intestine through the involvement of bile salts, pancreatic juice and fat from the diet. It is transported through the lymph and deposited in the liver, the organ that serves as a reservoir. Vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, is synthesized by bacteria in the intestine. Vitamin K3, menadione call is the only artificially synthesized and used as a supplement when diagnosing a deficiency of this nutrient.
In adults it is unlikely the deficiency of vitamin K, because the body makes part of it and also the liver has reservations. However, there are circumstances that can cause vitamin K deficiency as major trauma, extensive surgery or long-term treatment with antibiotics. Also, people with chronic disease that limits intestinal absorption of vitamin and those suffering from biliary obstruction (bile salts are needed for absorption) have a higher risk of vitamin deficiency.