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Vitamin K |
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| fat-soluble vitamin | ||||||||
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capsules |
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| The function of
Vitamin K is in maintaining normal clotting of blood. The vitamin may also
play a role in normal bone calcification by action as a cofactor for a
critical carboxylating enzyme.
The vitamin is actually a group of substances--phylloquinone for the K derivatives from plant sources and menaquinone from animal and bacterial sources, and menadione, a vitamin forerunner that your body converts to menaquinone--all of which share a similar action in the body. Medical conditions that decrease intestinal fat absorption, such as gall bladder stones, could result in deficiency of Vitamin K and consequently problems with bleeding. Prolonged courses of antibiotics can wipe out your colon flora (friendly bacteria, provides your daily Vitamin K needs) and you could become deficient in Vitamin K.
Excess calcium intake sufficient to give a ratio of
calcium to phosphorus of over 2:1 interferes with Vitamin K synthesis or
absorption and can cause internal bleeding.
Free bleeding (hemorrage) is the only documented symptom of deficiency.
Even in large doses, toxic side effects are rare.
One microgram per kilogram of body weight per day.
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