One of the important substances for the normal functioning of the human body is vitamin K. It was discovered in 1929 during a special experiment on chickens.
Successful experiment
The essence of the experiment was to identify the consequences of cholesterol deficiency in chickens. The synthetic cholesterol-free diet on which the birds were kept led to the discovery of a previously unknown organic compound - antihemorrhagic vitamin, which directly affects blood coagulation. A cholesterol deficiency resulting from a diet led to hemorrhage in the muscles and subcutaneous tissue. Attempts to restore balance with purified cholesterol were unsuccessful. Then scientists used cereal grains, which beneficially influenced the condition of the subjects. Among the substances that make up the grains, there was also a group of vitamins that contributed to increased blood coagulation.
Vitamin K name: how it was
The name of the vitamin was proposed by Danish scientist Henrik Dam, who participated in the study.
For the first time information on Koagulationsvitamin (translated from German as “vitamin coagulation”) appeared in the German edition, after which the substance was given the name Vitamin K. Its discovery was made by Henrik Dam and the American biochemist Edward Doyzy (who was able to obtain a substance with antihemorrhagic properties from rotting fishmeal) Nobel Prize winners. It was awarded to scientists in 1943 for the discovery and study of the chemical structure of vitamin K.
Vitamins of the K group: K1, K2, K3, K4
The substance has natural and synthetic forms, which differ in properties.
K1 (phylloquinone) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is absorbed by bile. It regulates blood coagulation processes in the body, is responsible for healing wounds and stopping bleeding. If a person has a deficiency of this substance, then it is possible to develop diseases of the biliary tract and gall bladder.
Vitamin K1 can be poorly absorbed by the body of a person or not absorbed at all. This is mainly due to diseases of the intestines and liver: hepatitis, cirrhosis, ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, colitis. They lead to a decrease in the body's ability to absorb vitamin K, as well as a lack of animal and vegetable fats.
Vitamin K1 is found in large quantities in pork liver, alfalfa, fishmeal, grapes, kiwi, avocado and green leafy vegetables (in lettuce, romaine lettuce, lettuce; spinach, parsley, cabbage, asparagus), vegetable oils.
K2 - bacterial menaquinone. This vitamin is produced in the human intestines by beneficial bacteria. It stops capillary and parenchymal bleeding, promotes wound healing.
Vitamin K deficiency is most often associated with osteoporosis and coronary heart disease, in which there is an imbalance in the microflora in the large intestine. Diseases and taking antibiotics, lack of fiber lead to a decrease in vitamin production in the body.
The source of vitamin K2 is dairy products (cottage cheese, milk, fermented baked milk, sour cream, kefir, butter); animal products (eggs, meat, fish oil, pork and beef liver) and beneficial bacteria.
Synthetic forms include vitamins K3 (menadione), K4 and K5. They are mainly used in crop production and animal husbandry.
Causes of vitamin deficiency
Among the main reasons for the development of vitamin deficiency, scientists call a violation of the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the intestine. This is due to the fact that the flow of bile into the intestine abruptly stops (in particular, with a disease such as obstructive jaundice).
An interesting fact is that under normal conditions (maintaining physical fitness, proper sleep patterns, good nutrition), vitamin K deficiency is almost never encountered. This is due to the constant production of the element, albeit in small quantities, by intestinal bacteria.
Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency
Vitamin K deficiency can be expressed in the following symptoms:
fatigue;
bleeding gums;
subcutaneous hemorrhage;
The use of vitamin K in medicine
Medical professionals often use vitamin K. Its use is especially important before surgery, with severe menstrual bleeding, with osteoporosis, and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (enteritis, ulcer, enterocolitis, cholelithiasis). The vitamin is produced in the form of tablets and solution. In no case should you prescribe this drug yourself. Only the doctor should determine the dose that is right for your body.
Vitamins containing vitamin K, in addition to their direct purpose, also contribute to the absorption of calcium and are prescribed to patients who need to strengthen bones and maintain their strength. This is especially true for people of age.
Contraindications
Vitamin K is not as harmless as it might seem. It is contraindicated in people taking anticoagulants and who have an increased risk of blood clots. This is due to the fact that in combination with it, these drugs increase the risk of blood clots.
Also, vitamin K is not prescribed for patients suffering from allergies and having increased blood coagulation and sensitivity to the drug.
A detailed consultation with a doctor is mandatory if you have been prescribed vitamin K. Instructions for use of the medicine will help determine the correct dosage.
Symptoms of Vitamin K Overdose
When trying to normalize the level of vitamin K in the body, you should be very careful: an overdose of this substance is an extremely rare phenomenon, however, it also occurs when a large amount of it enters the bloodstream.
If the following symptoms occur, consult a specialist for advice:
nausea;
subcutaneous hemorrhage;
bloody vomiting (especially in newborns);
excessive sweating;
headache;
diarrhea;
dry skin
bleeding gums;
depression;
in rare cases, spontaneous abortions in pregnant women or fetal malformations are possible.
Vitamin K deficiency: effects
The lack of vitamin in the body leads to the fact that even the slightest scratch bleeds for a long time, minor injuries leave large bruises, and blood from the gums or nose is quite difficult to stop.
There is a high likelihood of developing osteoporosis. For women, a lack of vitamin is fraught with heavy and long periods, which are accompanied by weakness, irritability, hypersensitivity and pain.
In newborns, vitamin deficiency is manifested in the development of hemorrhagic disease. Hypovitaminosis in them is most often caused by the absence of microflora (until the 4th-5th day of postnatal life) that produces vitamin K. On the 2nd-4th day after birth, the baby may begin to bleed from the umbilical remainder, melena, metrorrhagia, and the worst case and hemorrhage in the brain, lungs, adrenal glands or liver. Particularly at risk of vitamin deficiency are premature and hypotrophic children.
An interesting fact is that if people with a low level of vitamin K enter it into the body, blood coagulation processes will not accelerate. This means that the effect of the element on blood coagulation is only indirect.
With vitamin deficiency, in addition to hypoprothrombinemia (insufficient production of prothrombin), there is also a violation of the synthesis and a decrease in the concentration of proconvertin in the blood, which is one of the key factors in the process of blood coagulation. With sepsis, gynecological and typhoid hemorrhages, gastric ulcer, bleeding with severe hypoprothrombinemia, vitamins containing vitamin K can be successfully used. They help to fill in the missing element and do not violate important liver functions.
Where is vitamin K found?
A fair amount of vegetables and fruits include vitamin K. What foods contain this element?
Children get it from cow's milk and mother’s breast milk. Despite the fact that it contains a small amount of vitamin, breastfeeding promotes the transfer of maternal coagulation factors to the baby and reduces the likelihood of developing hemorrhagic disease. Nowadays, babies are given vitamin injections in maternity hospitals to prevent bleeding and vitamin deficiency. Contains Vitamin K and baby food.
Adults also need vitamin K. Where does this element contain other than the already mentioned foods?
Of the products of plant origin are:
- barberry, blackberry, clover, shepherd’s bag, mint, hawthorn, immortelle, dog rose, nettle leaves, rowan fruits, yarrow, violet, bird cherry, tatarnik;
- Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, white cabbage, broccoli, green radish, zucchini, cucumbers, peas, potatoes, beets, tomatoes, carrots, carrot tops, pumpkin;
- cereal crops;
- corn, bananas, avocados, peaches, oranges,
- seaweed, mustard, Swiss chard;
- green tea;
- soybean oil.
Many multivitamin complexes, drug collections, and nutritional supplements also contain vitamin K.
The daily dose of vitamin is as follows:
- for infants - 5-15 mcg;
- for children - 10-60 mcg (depending on age and gender);
- for nursing mothers - 130-140 mcg;
- for pregnant women - 80-120 mcg;
- for an adult - 70-120 mcg.
The role of vitamin K in human life
The value of vitamin K in the life of the human body is great: it is involved in the production of four proteins (among which one of the most important - prothrombin), directly involved in blood coagulation.
In addition, vitamin K promotes the growth, strengthening, mineralization of bone tissue through the regulation of the production of osteocalcin (a protein that holds calcium in the blood). The correct functioning of the kidneys to a large extent depends on him.
Given all these factors, do not forget about the benefits of proper nutrition. You should eat a large number of vegetables, fruits, herbs, dairy and meat products, which give the body not only the necessary energy and strength, but also a variety of vitamins, including not so famous, but no less important vitamins of group K.