We all know that vitamins are good for us, but there are some people who think they can get everything they need from a healthy diet. However, this is just not the case. They may be missing out on certain nutrients like vitamin K which help with blood clotting and bone health. We have compiled a list of reasons why vitamin K is important and what foods contain it. Here are the benefits of vitamin K…
Did you know that Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin?
It’s true, and it has many different functions in the body. It helps to keep your bones healthy by regulating calcium levels and keeping blood clotting under control. It also plays an important role in brain function, cell growth, organ tissue repair, and immune system activity.
There are two types of vitamin K: Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) which is found naturally in leafy green vegetables such as spinach or kale; and Vitamin K2 (menaquinones), which come from bacteria that live inside our intestines.
What you will learn
Here are the reasons why vitamin K is important to your health
Blood clotting
Vitamin K is important for blood clotting – Without it, you could die from excessive bleeding.
What if your arteries get blocked? The vitamin K in the leaves of vegetables like spinach and kale helps keep blood flowing to all parts of our body by regulating calcium levels and promoting clotting.
Maintain Bones
Vitamin K helps maintain strong bones and teeth. Consuming vitamin K is important for keeping our bones strong and avoiding a condition called osteoporosis where bones become brittle.
We also need vitamin K to have healthy teeth, so it is helpful in maintaining good dental hygiene by promoting remineralization of tooth enamel.
Heart Disease
Vitamin K helps reduce the risk of heart disease. It can help keep your heart healthy by reducing your risk for atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
A diet lower in vitamin K can also contribute to high cholesterol, which leads to a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease.
Prevent Cancer
Vitamin K can help prevent cancer. Studies have shown that people who consume more vitamin K-rich foods have a lower risk of developing cancer.
Makes Protein
You need vitamin K to make protein in your body. How does this vitamin make protein? In the liver, vitamin K helps translate proteins that can be used for the growth and repair of cells.
These vital functions are crucial to maintaining a healthy body. If you don’t have enough vitamin k in your diet or you’re not absorbing it well, there is a risk for many diseases such as anemia, osteoporosis, and cancer as discussed.
Brain Health
Your brain needs vitamin k to function properly, especially if you have Alzheimer’s or dementia. You should consider adding more vitamin K to your diet! Some stats show an increase in brain function in people with dementia when they’re taking vitamin K.
What are foods that have this essential vitamin?
- Kale
- Spinach
- Collard greens
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Asparagus
Conclusion
You may be deficient in vitamin K if you have been taking certain medications, such as blood thinners. But don’t worry! Vitamin K is readily available and easy to improve your health with a simple supplement or change in diet.