Vitamin K

Vitamin K is one nutrient that we need in order to make sure that some proteins are synthesized correctly. It is also highly important in anticoagulation and coagulation and deficiency can lead to excessive bleeding. You should know that most rodent poisons out there are based on substances that attack vitamin K and death is caused by lethal hemorrhage. In a similar fashion we need to understand the positive negative aspects that can appear if we are faced with vitamin K deficiency. At the moment we know of two important vitamin K forms, which have been labeled as K1 and K2.

There are some proteins that are highly dependant on vitamin K in order to work right. This includes anticoagulation proteins C, Z and S, coagulation proteins of factors II, VII, IX and X, matrix-Gla and osteocalcin bone proteins and a number of ribosomal proteins. If we do not have enough vitamin K in our system we can be faced with these proteins ending up not biologically active. This can have a really important negative impact on our well being.

Few people are aware of the sources of vitamin K. You should know that you can find it in some foods like cauliflower, liver and leafy green vegetables. On the other hand, the most important source of this vitamin comes from bacteria synthesis that takes place in our large intestine. There is a strong possibility that even if you do not eat foods that contain Vitamin K you will not be deficient because of this factor. You might also want to know that the fetus will get vitamin K thanks to transplacental transfer directly from the mother.

Unfortunately vitamin K deficiency is still possible and there are a number of situations in which they will appear. The most common event stands in poisoning with antagonists of vitamin K. A lot of rodenticides work by creating vitamin K deficiency. When it is severe it can lead to bleeding death. Unfortunately there is a skim chance that such agents reach humans and this can have disastrous effects. Another common situation that can lead to vitamin K deficiency can be found in liver diseases. If our liver does not work right we can be faced with improper lipid absorption. This immediately has a negative impact on vitamin K absorption. You should also know that clotting factors are created in our liver. This basically means that liver disease can have a negative impact on blood clotting.