Vitamin K – This book covers the entire syllabus of “Nutrition and Dietetics” prescribed by BNMC-for all Diploma in Nursing Science and Midwifery students. We tried to accommodate latest information and topics. This book is examination friendly setup according to the teachers’ lectures and examination’s questions. At the end of the book previous university questions are given. We hope in touch with the book students’ knowledge will be upgraded and flourished. The unique way of presentation may make your reading of the book a pleasurable experience.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a group of structurally similar, fat-soluble vitamins found in foods and in dietary supplements. The human body requires vitamin K for complete synthesis of certain proteins that are needed for blood coagulation.
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Vitamin K refers to a group of fat-soluble vitamins that play a role in blood clotting, bone metabolism, and regulating blood calcium levels.
Functions of vitamin K:
1. The major function of vitamin K is to promote coagulation of blood after injury thereby preventing hemorrhage.
2. It is involved formation of prothrombin which is the precursor to thrombin-a very important factor in blood clotting.
3. Vitamin K is involved in bone formation and repair
4. In the intestine it also assists in converting glucose to glycogen.
Sources of vitamin-K:
Cow’s milk (60 ug/L), human milk (15 ug/L) Sources of vitamin Kı: Fresh dark green vegetables (e.g., spinach. Cauliflower, cabbage) and some fruits. vitamin synthesized by the intestinal bacteria within the body.
Daily requirement of vitamin-K:
- Adult: Approximately 0.03 mg/kg
- Premature newborn infant is recommended 0.5 to 1.0 mg of vitamin-K.
Effects of vitamin-K deficiency:
Deficiency of vitamin-K is rare because vitamin-K is present in many different foods and is produced by intestinal bacteria. However, newborn infants may develop a vitamin-K deficiency because they lack intestinal bacteria and therefore do not obtain any vitamin-K from this source. People on long-term antibiotic therapy sometimes develop vitamin-K deficiency.
Antibiotic (such as penicillin) are drugs used to kill disease-producing bacteria. Some antibiotics kill not only disease producing bacteria but also the vitamin-K-producing bacteria in the intestine. In this occurs, a vitamin-K deficiency can result, leading to inadequate blood clotting. In this instance, a person bleeds profusely even for minor injuries.
(Ref: Sheilla John’s/1/77)
Toxic symptoms of excess intake of vitamin-K:
Toxicity does not easily occur with normal dietary intake of this vitamin, but can happen if synthetic compound vitamin-KS is taken. High to toxic uptake in the synthetic form can cause flushing and sweating. Jaundice and hemolytic anemia may also develop.
(Ref: Sheilla John’s/1/77
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