
Essential role of Vitamin K
The body requires Vitamin K in order to generate prothrombin, an essential protein which helps in bone metabolism as well as blood clotting.
The deficiency in the vitamin K in our body could lead to severe issues such as increased blood clotting time, which could further result in hemorrhage as well as excessive bleeding. The Vitamin K has three different components that is the Vitamin K1, Vitamin K2 and K3. The phylloquinone or the vitamin K1 is gathered from the plant based foods, whereas the menaquinone or the Vitamin K2 occurs in various fermented or animal based food products. The Vitamin K3 also named as menadione, is not recommended as it is one of the synthetic vitamins.
Plant based food
The essential part of the Vitamin K is successfully met by the consumption of the plant sourced food which includes broccoli, cabbage and leafy vegetables. The dark green fresh spinach is mainly regarded as one of the healthiest vitamin sources, spinach also provides other nutritional values such as iron and minerals. It has been identified that 100 gram of Spinach provides 483 mcg vitamin K1. Along with that broccoli is also packed with various antioxidants and vitamins. In a cup of freshly baked or cooked broccoli there is about 110 mcg vitamin k content. These vegetables help in healthy bone metabolism and strengthen the bone capacity.
Heart health with the help of vitamin K
Vitamin K helps in keeping the blood pressure in control by preventing mineralisation, the minerals which are built up in the human arteries can be prevented with the consumption of vitamin K. With the increase in age mineralisation occurs naturally and it is one of the essential factors in increasing the heart disease risks. In order to mitigate the risk of stroke adequate consumption of vitamin K plays a significant role.
Bone health with the help of vitamin K
Osteoporosis and the inadequate intake of Vitamin K has a prominent relation. In order to decrease the fractures risks the above vitamin plays a pivotal role. Vitamin K helps in maintaining the strong bones and increases bone density. Vitamin aids in bone health, it takes a prominent part in the process of carboxylation of various proteins related to bone. This specific vitamin regulates genetic transcription of the osteoblastic markers and it regulates or monitors the bone reabsorption. Plant based food is rich in vitamin K. The essential roles of vitamin K have been identified in heart health, bone health and cognitive health.
How would you add vitamin K in your everyday meal?