What is Vitamin K?

Vitamin K

There are two types of Vitamin K: Vitamin K1 also commonly referred to as phylloquinone, phytomenadione or phytonadione and Vitamin K2 also known as menaquinone or menatetrenone.  The latter is produced in the human large intestine from bacteria.  There are also three other forms of vitamin K which are synthetic forms.  These vitamins are called Vitamin K3, Vitamin K4 and Vitamin K5.

Vitamin K and Gla Domains

Vitamin K is used in the human body in order to make gamma carboxyglutamate, also known as Gla residues, which are latter located with protein domains which creates the Gamma-linolenic acid Gla domains.  These domains are extremely important in multiple biological processes, making vitamin K absolutely essential to healthy human life.  The main processes that vitamin K help with are vascular biology, blood coagulation and bone metabolism. In order for vitamin K to work sufficiently, the body needs a regular daily consumption of the vitamin.  In men, 120 micrograms is necessary while in women, the intake is about 90 micrograms.

Sources of Vitamin K like those found in Youth Juice

You do not have to worry about overdosing on natural vitamin K as there are not any known toxicity levels.  For a healthy intake of Vitamin K1, you can find it in many natural sources which include the following: cabbage, spinach, kale, Swiss chard, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kiwi fruit, avocado, parsley and soybean.  K2 can be found in natto, daily, eggs and meat.  Interestingly enough, since vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin, when green plants are cooked in butter, their bioavailability is increased.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Generally, sufficient amounts of vitamin K are introduced into the diet without being aware of it.  This means that there is little to be worried about in regard to a vitamin K deficiency.  In fact, vitamin K deficiencies are very rare.  Nevertheless, people who suffer from certain diseases or preexisting conditions may be much more susceptible to a vitamin K deficiency such as those suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases, cystic fibrosis, liver damage or recovering from abdominal surgery.  Symptoms of a vitamin deficiency would include anemia, bleeding of the gums, heavy menstrual bleeding and nose bleeds.  Having a healthy doses of Vitamin k can help to prevent against heart disease and osteoporosis.