Let's face it — there's a ton of information about vitamin K floating around the internet. What exactly is Vitamin K? Is it good for you? Are there Vitamin K side effects to look out for? Let's dive in and take a deeper look at this and explore everything you need to know about this vitamin in our ultimate guide!
What is Vitamin K
Vitamin K is one of the essential vitamins that contribute to various bodily functions, playing a pivotal role in helping with blood clotting, wound healing, and the formation of bones.
It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that includes two main forms – vitamin K1 and K2. Vitamin K1 is commonly found in vegetables and leafy greens, making it the main dietary source of vitamin K. Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is found in meats and fermented foods. These foods include cheese, sourdough and kimchi.
Vitamin K Benefits
As one of the vitamins that can be found in a variety of foods, it contributes to many essential bodily functions, and delivers a wide range of unspoken health benefits, including:
- Supports healthy bones. Learn more tips to keep your bones healthy.
- Regulates normal blood clotting
- Supports wound healing
The NHS suggests an adult should take approximately one microgram of vitamin K a day for each kilogram of their body weight*. For example, if you weigh 75kg, your suggested vitamin K daily intake is 75 micrograms.
Not sure if you’re getting enough of what you need? Puritan’s Pride Vitamin K-2 Softgels provide an easy option to boost your vitamin K2 level. It’s specially formulated to promote bone mass and strength, delivering 100mcg quality vitamin K2 in a single softgel.
Vitamin K Deficiency
Similar with other vitamins and minerals, it’s always important to keep your vitamin K intake in check to stay healthy. Common symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include:
- Bruises easily
- Blood clots underneath nails
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms or concerned about nutritional deficiencies, it’s suggested to speak to your GP or healthcare provider.
Vitamins and minerals play a pivotal role in supporting our overall health and wellbeing, discover our favourite multivitamins for women, delivering all the essential nutrients you need in one daily serving.
*Vitamin K: Vitamins and Minerals (2020) NHS choices. NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-k/ (Accessed: January 13, 2023).
