Vitamin K, as we all know is a fat soluble vitamin that plays a vital role in clotting and coagulation of blood. It is very important for your health and some of the benefits offered by vitamin K include:
- A key benefit of vitamin K is that helps in the clotting of blood by regulating the entire mechanism. Blood clotting in required when you are wounded or have some injury where a blood vessel has been torn. Vitamin K in such a situation transport calcium ions to the area of injury, thereby regulating blood clotting and preventing further blood loss. Vitamin K also helps in preventing any kind of internal bleeding in organs like liver and during jaundice and malabsoprtion.
- Vitamin K is also highly beneficial for pregnant women who feel nauseous and sick. Vitamin K is known to give relief within 3 days. If you are pregnant, your doctor might prescribe you to take vitamin K supplements in order to reduce any kind of risk of internal bleeding. If you face heavy bleeding during menstruation, you can also take vitamin K to reduce the bleeding. Vitamin K would regulate your menstrual cycle and also reduce aches and cramps during it.
- Creams that are used before and after surgery consists of vitamin K. Also, many creams that you use on wounds and injuries may contain vitamin K compounds as vitamin K has active healing properties. It is known to heal damaged blood vessel and you should apply it in bruises and cuts as well. But the affect varies from cream to cream as different creams have different purposes to serve.
- Vitamin K injections are given to infants to prevent hemorrhage. This was done in the earlier times and now this practice has been banned as it is said that this can lead to asthma in babies. Nowadays, oral drops are used.
- Vitamin K also helps in maintaining bone health and this was discovered recently. Vitamin K supplements are prescribed to people who suffer osteoporosis and vitamin K can prevent many symptoms of this disease which is very common in women after their menopause.
Sources of Vitamin K –
There are many sources of vitamin K and make sure that you include them in your diet to supply your body with the optimum level of vitamin K. Some of the foods that contain the maximum amount of vitamin K are:
Dried and Fresh Herbs
Herbs like basil, thyme and sage contain a lot of vitamin K and these herbs have been used in various medicinal purposes since time immemorial. Herbs like parsley, oregano, coriander are also rich source of vitamin K.
Dark Green and Leafy Vegetables
Veggies like kale, spinach, collard, broccoli, Swiss chard and lettuce contain vitamin K along with calcium.
Spring Onions
This is a rich source of vitamin K and can be included as a topping to salad or mixed with soup.
Chili Powder, Cayenne and Paprika
These spices can be added to various dishes. These contain vitamin K along with vitamin C and vitamin E.
