IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN K , ITS DEFICIENCY, SIGN AND SYMPTOMS

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Introduction

Vitamin k is a fat soluble vitamin that play a vital role in blood clotting, cardiovascular health and bone metabolism. It also activate  proteins that maintain calcium level throughout the body

★ It absorbed in small intestine 

★ Required bile salt for its absorption

★ Small amount of vitamin k is absorbed in liver

Who discovered vitamin k?

★ It is discovered by a scientist Henrik dam in 1929 after discovering vitamin k the scientist get noble prize on this enormous discovery.

Why vitamin k is called vitamim k?

★ It is derived from a greek work koagulation its meaning blood clotting we know that vitamin k is a blood clotting factor in greek language  clotting is called koagulation, due to this they called  (clotting factor) Vitamin K that is the beginning latter of koagulation.

What is the composition or chemical nature of vitamin k?

Core structure

2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone ring

It contain

Napthaline ring

Two ketone group

A side chain attached at position  3

Types of vitamin k

1. Vitamin K 1(Phylloquinone)

* Source of vitamin K1 diet

2. Vitamin k 2(Menaquinone)

* Source of vitamin k2 is intestinal bacteria

3. Vitamin  K3 (Menadione)

* Source of vitamin k 3 is synthetic form

Function of vitamin k

1. How vitamin k is functioning as a blood clotting factor?

★ Vitamin k is important for the formation of blood clotting factors in the lever

★ It activate these proteins

★Factor Vl

* It is called prothrombin

* Made by liver it is an inactivate precursor

* It convert into Thrombin

* Thrombin Fibrinogen convert into fibrin

* Fabrin is insoluble they combine with RBCs, WBCs and platelets to form a blood clot

★ Factor Vll

* It is an extrinsic pathway

* Damage  tissue release factor lll

* Factor Vll combine with factor lll

* After their combination they form a complex called X factor

* X factor convert prothrombin into thrombin

* Thrombin convert fibrinogen and into fibrin here blood clotting occurs

★ Factor IX

*  It is an intrinsic pathway 

*  Factor IX convert into its active form IXa

* IXa combine with factor Vllla, Calcium and platelet surface

* This combine complex factor X

★ Factor X

* It converts into its active form IXa

* This active form combine with several factor and form prothrombinase complex

* This convert prothrombin into thrombin complex

* Thrombin covert fibrinogen into fibrin that is clotting factor 

★ Protein C is a natural anticoagulants

* It is inactivated V and Vlll

*It will  be activated by prothrombin

It slow blood clotting

★ Protein S  is a natural anticoagulant 

* It is working as a cofactor for protein c

* Enhance anticoagulant action 

* Vitamin k enable these clotting factors to attach with calcium ions

* Calcium allow them to attach with platelet surface to form a suitable blood clot

For more about clotting factor visit this page https://www.healthduhs.org/2026/05/what-are-platelets-and-clotting-factors.html

2. Does Vitamin k is important for heart health?

★ Vitamin k activate Matrix gla protein(MGP)  that prevent the deposition of calcium in blood vessels

★ give protection against cardiovascular disease

★ Reduce the stiffness of arteries


3. How vitamin k is important for bone health?

 ★Vitamin k activate a protein called osteocalcin which help bind calcium to bone

★ Improve mineralization of bone

★ Prevent fracture 

★ Make the bone stronger

4.How vitamin k  plays vital role in brain  functioning?

★ It is important for the formation of shingolipids that is important neuronal cell membrane and mylein sheith

★ Important for the formation of Gas 6 and protein  S

* Gas 6 protect neuronal cell from apoptosis

* This enhance the life of neuronal cell

* Protein s reduce inflammation  and reduce excessive blood clotting in blood vessels of brain

★ Vitamin k act as antioxidant in brain tissue there it protect brain cell  and neuron from free radicals

 What are the sources of vitamin k?

* Cheese 

* Spinach

* Liver

* Butter

* Cabbage

* Chicken

* Mustard greens

* Kale

* Egg yolk

* Yougard

* Natto

* Fermented soybean


Who are at the more risk if vitamin k deficiency?

* People with liver disease

* Newborn babies

* Fat malabsorption patient

* Long term antibiotic user

* Deficiency of vitamin k in adult is rare

Sign and symptoms of vitamin k deficient

* Prolonged bleeding from cuts

* Blood in stool or urine

*  Nose bleeding 

* Gum bleeding 

* Heavy menstrual bleeding 

* Easy bruising

* Internal bleeding and brain bleeding in rare case happen due to vitamin k deficiency

What are the causes of vitamin k deficiency?

* Long term antibiotic

* Newborn babies

* Poor diet

* Chronic liver disease

* Celiac disease

*  Crohon's disease

Recommended intake of vitamin k

★Lactating Women =90 mcg

★Pregnant Women =90 mcg

★Infants=2–2.5 mcg

★Children=30–60 mcg

★Adult Men=120 mcg

★Adult Women=90 mcg

For more about other vitamin visit this page

https://www.healthduhs.org/2026/02/vitamin-e-and-their-importance-in-human.html

How to diagnose Vitamin K deficiency

*    PT  (increased )

* INR  (increased )

*    aPTT  (increased )

*    PIVKA-II  (increased )

*     Platelet  count 


Reference


 WHO -World Health Organization
NIH- National Institute Of Health)

 CDC- Centre for Disease Control and prevention







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