Nutrients Database

• A-G
• H-N
• O-U
• V-Z

Vitamin K

A deficiency of Vitamin K is rare and the majority of our requirements are produced by the bacteria in our guts. Newborn babies have a sterile gut i.e. do not have any bacteria in their intestines, therefore can be susceptible to a deficiency and are often given Vitamin K shortly after they are born.

Good sources of Vitamin K include:

dark green leafy vegetables (kale, greens,cabbage) and cauliflower, broccoli,  green peas and beans.

The key functions of Vitamin K are:

• most important in making the chemicals in your blood that make it clot. Without Vitamin K you would be unable to stop blood flow from a wound. Can help with excessive menstrual bleeding.
• needed to fix calcium into place in your bones, meaning that bones knit and stay strong. It is therefore used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis

It is very important to note that Vitamin K interferes with anti-coagulant or blood thinning drugs and so consumption of Vitamin K rich foods should be carefully monitored and kept relatively consistent if you are taking these. Always consult your doctor.

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