Hi viewers!
Vitamin K may not be as popular as the other vitamins, but it is no less essential.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin which was initially discovered for its role in blood
clotting.
Nature provides vitamin K in two forms: K1 in leafy greens and K2 in animal-based and
fermented foods.
In fact, your gut bacteria can also make vitamin K2.
Even though your body is pretty good at recycling its own supply of vitamin K, that doesn’t
mean you’re automatically protected from becoming deficient.
In fact, there are certain signs and symptoms that can point towards a Vitamin K deficiency.
And in today’s video we will tell you what these are.
From excessive bleeding, ageing, easy bruising, dark stool to hardened artery walls of heart
and more, watch till the end to learn about all of them.
Excess Bleeding: This is probably the most recognizable symptom of Vitamin K deficiency.
When your body is deficient in Vitamin K, it can lead to disruption in the formation
of blood clots in your body.
This condition usually leads to bleeding in excess which includes bleeding in various
forms like blood in stool, urine and nosebleeds.
Weak Bones: Your bones require vitamin K for it to use dietary calcium.
One of the most important reasons calcium is necessary for your body is because it helps
maintain and build the strength of bones.
So, when there is an increased level of Vitamin K in your body, it directly leads to better
bone density.
However, a deficiency in Vitamin K could ultimately lead to osteoporosis.
It is a bone disorder that is characterized by bones that weaken over a period of time,
which then puts you at a risk of fractures.
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Easy Bruising: Another notable sign of vitamin K deficiency is easy bruising.
If you find bruises on your body that you do not know the cause for, you should get
checked for vitamin K deficiency.
The bruise might leave and so would your worry about it but it shouldn't be dismissed casually.
It’s common to bump into things, not remember, and see small bruises on your legs or arms.
However, unprovoked bruises on your torso, back or face are unusual.
And that’s a reason to get them checked out.
Seniors can also experience more bruising than younger adults since their skin thins
with age and there is less fat underneath to cushion the blood vessels.
Easy Bruising is also common in people who suffer from celiac disease which is a condition
which prevents vitamin absorption.
The only sign of this disease is easy bruising.
However, a person suffering from this disease can adopt a gluten free diet.
Once vitamin K levels increase, you will stop bruising easily.
Ageing: Two skin components elastin and collagen give your skin its firmness and elasticity.
With growing age, your skin loses both elastin and collagen.
Skin cells release a type of protein which prevents the hardening of the elastin in your
skin.
Lack of vitamin K causes hardening of the elastin.
Due to this, your skin loses its firmness and wrinkles appear.
Bleeding in mucous membranes that line areas inside the body: You could experience excessive
mucosal bleeding in the mouth and gastrointestinal tract as a result of Vitamin K deficiency.
Autoimmune diseases like lupus can lead to vitamin K deficiency as well.
So, if you see a lot of blood when you brush, it could be a sign that your body doesn't
have enough vitamin K.
Heavy period flow: There is often 30 to 40 ml of bleeding during periods.
If you face too much bleeding, then it is not a good sign.
Also if every time you go through periods and there is a lot of bleeding during this
time, then this may also be a sign of vitamin K deficiency.
Blue coloured bruises: If you face swelling or blue bruise on the skin, even in case of
a slight scratch, it is also an indication of vitamin K deficiency.
Due to the lack of vitamin K, the skin grows rapidly which leads to swelling.
Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding or VKDB In Babies: Earlier known as hemorrhagic disease of the
newborn, this condition affects very small babies, shortly after birth.
VKDB is the result of low vitamin K levels.
If the baby does not get a preventive injection of vitamin K when they're born, they may suffer
a Vitamin K deficiency.
When the baby is exclusively breastfed, breast milk may not contain adequate vitamin K when
compared to cow's milk-based formula.
While this is no reason to stop breastfeeding, it is a deficiency you must be on the lookout
for.
Small blood clots underneath nails: Your nails are a very good reflection of your health.
Many things can occur in the nails that can signify systemic or skin problems.
If you lack vitamin K, you may find small blood clots under your nails.
Vitamin K helps combat skin troubles like pigmentation and also works to strengthen
your nails against early breakage and yellowing.
Dark Stool: Those with vitamin K deficiency may see blood in their stool and tarry black
stools.
However, it is uncommon in adults and infants, while newborns are more prone to it.
You can also have this condition if you suffer from significant liver damage or disease.
Those with fat malabsorption disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and cystic fibrosis,
may also be at increased risk.
Under developed fetus: In pregnant women, lower levels of vitamin K can harm their babies.
Vitamin K cannot be transported across the placental barrier easily and hence there would
be more chances of deficiency within the fetus.
Vitamin K is helpful in overall development of the baby and lack of this vitamin can lead
to internal bleeding, deformed facial features, damage in the skull of the fetus and malformed
fingers.
Hardening of walls and arteries in heart: Vitamin K deficiency leads to heavy deposition
of calcium within the soft tissues.
Calcification can sometimes harden the walls and arteries in the heart.
This affects the cardiovascular system of your body leading to serious health risks.
So, what really causes Vitamin K deficiency?
Dietary Deficiency: Though rare, some people struggle to get enough vitamin K, either due
to poor diet or eating disorders like Anorexia.
In a clinical trial, people were given diets lacking green leafy vegetables.
This resulted in reduced vitamin K blood levels, which in turn deactivated vitamin K-dependent
proteins, which is typical of deficiency.
Poor Fat Digestion: Liver and pancreas health are essential for digesting fats.
The liver makes bile, while the pancreas produces digestive enzymes.
Diseases affecting either of these organs reduce your body’s ability to break down,
absorb, and use fat-soluble vitamins like Vitamin K leading to its deficiency.
Gut Problems: All conditions that damage the gut and weaken its ability to absorb nutrients
can cause vitamin K deficiency.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and celiac disease are two major ones.
This is because vitamin K is fat-soluble and these conditions reduce fat uptake in the
gut causing deficiencies.
Too Much Vitamin E: Doctors have long known that Vitamin E overdose can cause bleeding
disorders.
In a study, high doses of Vitamin E increased markers of vitamin K deficiency.
But moderate doses prevented blood clotting in another study.
Animal studies found that an excess of vitamin E blocks the conversion of vitamin K1 to K2
outside the liver.
Now that we’ve talked about the symptoms and causes of Vitamin K deficiency, you must
be wondering, how can it be treated?
Well there are a couple of ways.
Natural Treatment: The best way to prevent deficiency is by switching up your diet to
help increase your intake of vitamin K naturally.
Not only can eating a variety of nutritious plant and animal foods provide plenty of vitamin
K, but it may also help enhance gut health and absorption.
It’s best to get a good amount of vitamin K2 daily, especially from raw, fermented dairy
products like raw cheese, yogurt, kefir and amasi.
Other sources of vitamin K2 include grass-fed meat, wild-caught fish, egg yolks, and organ
meats like liver.
In addition to eating a variety of vitamin K2 foods, filling your diet with plenty of
plant-based foods high in vitamin K1 is just as important.
Some of the best vitamin K1 foods include Green leafy vegetables, spring onions, Brussels
sprouts, Cabbage, Broccoli and fermented dairy products.
Conventional Treatment: Vitamin K deficiency treatment typically involves medications such
as phytonadione, which is a form of vitamin K.
These medications can be injected into your skin or administered orally to help quickly
boost levels of vitamin K in the body.
While making dietary changes can generally help protect against vitamin K deficiency
in adults, long-term supplementation may also be required for those with certain conditions.
For instance, those with underlying health conditions or malabsorption syndrome may need
to talk to their doctor to see if supplementation is right for them.
Certain medications that cause fat malabsorption can also contribute to a deficiency, which
is why many doctors often recommend taking a multivitamin or vitamin K supplement alongside
these medications.
Have you ever suffered Vitamin K deficiency?
Does your diet include enough Vitamin K?
Let us know in the comments section below!