Vitamin K is among the less well
known of the vitamins that are essential parts of a healthy diet.
Vitamin K serves many important purposes in the body, and attention
to ingesting the recommended daily intake levels is necessary to
the overall health of the body. In addition to the benefits to
physical health, Vitamin K has also been found to have cosmetic
benefits as well.
One of the most important purposes that Vitamin K serves in the
body is the control of blood clotting. In fact, it plays a significant
role in the production of thrombin, which is one of the most important
of the bodily substances related to blood clotting. Deficiencies
can cause frequent nosebleeds and internal bleeding. A deficiency
in Vitamin K is particularly serious for infants, especially those
who are born prematurely, as it can contribute bleeding in the
brain.
Vitamin K is also important to the health of the bones. It is
involved both in their formation and in the repair of bones that
are fractured or otherwise damaged. Recent studies have found that
Vitamin K may help to prevent or at least decrease the severity
of osteoporosis and other bone diseases that cause what is called
slow bone loss.
There are a variety of other physical benefits attributed to Vitamin
K. It is important to the proper growth and development of babies
in the uterus. There are very specific birth defects that are associated
with Vitamin K deficiency. These include flat nasal bridges, cupped
ears, shortened fingers and underdevelopment of the nose, mouth
and the middle area of the face.
However, with that said, it is important to
remember that high levels of Vitamin K should be avoided
during the last trimester
of pregnancy because, as with all dietary supplements and
medications, too much can be dangerous for the baby. You
should always discuss
each and every dietary supplement you take during your pregnancy
with your healthcare provider, even if it is something you’ve
been taking for years and is a substance you know well.
There are a variety of prescription medications
that can interfere with absorption or the body’s ability
to use Vitamin K. In fact, high doses of certain vitamins
and minerals can do the same.
It is important, then, to discuss your supplement plan with
a licensed nutritionist and, if you are taking prescription
medications, with
your health care provider. Vitamin K is very important to
the body and must not be neglected or used incorrectly.
The cosmetic uses of Vitamin K include success in treating those
dark circles under the eyes. Because of its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory
properties, research has found Vitamin K to be useful in combating
the visual signs of the aging of the skin.
Using dietary supplements that contain Vitamin K can be a safe
and secure means of making sure that the body meets the daily intake
requirements for this essential vitamin, provided that dosage instructions
are followed carefully. This is especially important during pregnancy,
for although Vitamin K plays a vital role in the normal growth
and development of the baby during pregnancy, too much can be toxic.
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