One of the important substances for the normal functioning of the human body is vitamin K. It was discovered in 1929 during a special experiment on chickens.
Successful experiment
The essence of the experiment was to identify the consequences of a lack of cholesterol in chickens. A synthetic cholesterol-free diet, on which the birds were kept, led to the identification of a previously unknown organic compound - an antihemorrhagic vitamin that directly affects blood clotting. The lack of cholesterol, which appeared as a result of the diet, led to hemorrhage in the muscles and subcutaneous tissue. Attempts to restore balance with purified cholesterol have been unsuccessful. Then scientists used grains of cereals, which had a beneficial effect on the condition of the subjects. Among the substances that make up the grains, there was also a group of vitamins that helped increase blood clotting.
The name of vitamin K: how it was
The name of the vitamin was suggested by Danish scientist Henrik Dam, who took part in the study.
For the first time, information about Koagulationsvitamin (translated from German - "coagulation vitamin") appeared in Germanpublication, after which the name vitamin K was assigned to the substance. His discovery made Henrik Dam and the American biochemist Edward Doisy (who was able to obtain a substance with anti-hemorrhagic properties from rotting fishmeal) Nobel Prize winners. It was awarded to scientists in 1943 for the discovery and study of the chemical structure of vitamin K.
Vitamins of the K group: K1, K2, K3, K4
The substance has natural and synthetic forms that differ in properties.
K1 (phylloquinone) is a fat-soluble vitamin that is absorbed through bile. It regulates the processes of blood clotting in the body, is responsible for healing wounds and stopping bleeding. If a person has a lack of this substance, then diseases of the biliary tract and gallbladder may develop.
Vitamin K1 may be poorly absorbed by the body of a person or not absorbed at all. This is mainly due to diseases of the intestines and liver: hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, ulcers, diarrhea, dysentery, colitis. They lead to a decrease in the body's ability to absorb vitamin K, as well as a lack of animal and vegetable fats.
Vitamin K1 is found in large quantities in pork liver, alfalfa, fishmeal, grapes, kiwi, avocado and green leafy vegetables (in chicorn lettuce, romaine lettuce, lettuce; spinach, parsley, cabbage, asparagus), vegetable oils.
K2 - bacterial menaquinone. This vitamin is produced in the human intestinebacteria. It stops capillary and parenchymal bleeding, promotes wound healing.
Vitamin K deficiency is most often associated with osteoporosis and coronary heart disease, in which there is an imbalance in the microflora in the large intestine. Diseases and antibiotics, lack of fiber lead to a decrease in the production of vitamin in the body.
The source of vitamin K2 are dairy products (cottage cheese, milk, fermented baked milk, sour cream, kefir, butter); animal products (eggs, meat, fish oil, pork and beef liver) and beneficial bacteria.
Synthetic forms include vitamins K3 (menadione), K4 and K5. They are mainly used in crop and livestock production.
Causes of beriberi
Among the main causes of beriberi, scientists call a violation of the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins in the intestine. This is due to the fact that the flow of bile into the intestine stops abruptly (in particular, with a disease such as obstructive jaundice).
An interesting fact is that under normal conditions (maintaining physical fitness, proper sleep, rational nutrition), vitamin K deficiency practically does not occur. This is due to the constant production of the element, albeit in small quantities, by intestinal bacteria.
Vitamin K deficiency symptoms
Vitamin K deficiency can be expressed in the following symptoms:
- fatigue;
- bleeding gums;
- subcutaneous hemorrhages;
- poorly healing, bleeding wounds;
- nosebleeds;
- hypoprothrombinemia;
- painful periods;
- GI bleeding.
Use of vitamin K in medicine
Medical workers often use vitamin K. Its use is especially important before surgery, with heavy menstrual bleeding, with osteoporosis, with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (enteritis, ulcer, enterocolitis, cholelithiasis). The vitamin is available in the form of tablets and solution. In no case should you self-administer this drug. Only a doctor should determine the dose that is right for your body.
Vitamins containing vitamin K, in addition to their direct purpose, also promote the absorption of calcium and are prescribed to patients who need to strengthen bones and maintain their strength. This is especially true for older people.
Contraindications
Vitamin K is not as harmless as it might seem. It is contraindicated in people taking anticoagulants and who have an increased risk of blood clots. This is because when combined with it, these drugs increase the risk of blood clots.
Also, vitamin K is not prescribed to patients with allergies and who have increased blood clotting and sensitivity to the drug.
A detailed consultation with a doctor is required if you are prescribed vitamin K. Instructions for using the medicinewill help determine the correct dosage.
Symptoms of vitamin K overdose
When trying to normalize the level of vitamin K in the body, one should be very careful: an overdose of this substance is an extremely rare phenomenon, however, it also occurs when a large amount enters the bloodstream.
If you experience the following symptoms, you should consult a specialist for advice:
- nausea;
- subcutaneous hemorrhages;
- bloody vomiting (especially in newborns);
- excessive sweating;
- headaches;
- diarrhea;
- dry skin;
- bleeding gums;
- depression;
- in rare cases, spontaneous abortions in pregnant women or fetal malformations are possible.
Vitamin K deficiency: consequences
The lack of vitamin in the body leads to the fact that even the slightest scratch bleeds for a long time, minor injuries leave large bruises, and bleeding from the gums or nose is quite difficult to stop.
There is a high chance of developing osteoporosis. For women, vitamin deficiency is fraught with heavy and prolonged menstruation, which is accompanied by weakness, irritability, hypersensitivity and pain.
In newborns, vitamin deficiency is manifested in the development of hemorrhagic disease. Hypovitaminosis in them is most often caused by a lack of microflora (up to4-5th day of postnatal life), which produces vitamin K. On the 2nd-4th day after birth, the baby may begin bleeding from the umbilical residue, melena, metrorrhagia, and in the worst case, hemorrhage in the brain, lungs, adrenal glands or liver. Premature and hypotrophic children are especially at risk of beriberi.
An interesting fact is that if people with low levels of vitamin K are injected with it, blood clotting processes will not be accelerated. This means that the effect of the element on blood coagulation is only indirect.
With beriberi, in addition to hypoprothrombinemia (insufficient production of prothrombin), there is also a violation of the synthesis and a decrease in the concentration of proconvertin in the blood, which is one of the key factors in the process of blood clotting. With sepsis, gynecological and typhoid bleeding, stomach ulcers, bleeding with severe hypoprothrombinemia, vitamins containing vitamin K can be successfully used. They help replenish the missing element and at the same time do not violate important liver functions.
Where is vitamin K found?
Sufficiently large amounts of vegetables and fruits include vitamin K. What foods contain this element?
Children get it from cow's milk and mother's breast milk. Despite the fact that it contains a small amount of the vitamin, breastfeeding contributes to the transfer of maternal coagulation factors to the infant and reduces the likelihood of hemorrhagic disease. Nowadays in maternity hospitalsnewborns are given vitamin injections to prevent bleeding and vitamin deficiency. Contains vitamin K and baby food.
Adults also need vitamin K. Where is this element found in addition to the products already mentioned?
From herbal products it is:
- barberry, blackberry, clover, shepherd's purse, mint, hawthorn, immortelle, wild rose, nettle leaves, rowan fruit, yarrow, violet, bird cherry, tartar;
- Brussels, cauliflower, white cabbage, broccoli, green radish, zucchini, cucumbers, peas, potatoes, beets, tomatoes, carrots, carrot tops, pumpkin;
- cereals;
- corn, bananas, avocados, peaches, oranges,
- seaweed, mustard greens, swiss chard;
- green tea;
- soybean oil.
Many multivitamin complexes, drug preparations and nutritional supplements also contain vitamin K.
The daily dose of the vitamin is as follows:
- for infants - 5-15 mcg;
- Children - 10-60 mcg (depending on age and gender);
- for nursing mothers - 130-140 mcg;
- for pregnant women - 80-120 mcg;
- for an adult - 70-120 mcg.
The role of vitamin K in human life
The value of vitamin K in the life of the human body is great: it is involved in the production of four proteins (among which one of the most important is prothrombin), directly involved in the processes of blood coagulation.
Also,Vitamin K contributes to the growth, strengthening, and mineralization of bone tissue through the regulation of the production of osteocalcin (a protein that retains calcium in the blood). The proper functioning of the kidneys to a large extent depends on it.
Given all these factors, we should not forget about the benefits of proper nutrition. You should eat a large number of vegetables, fruits, greens, dairy and meat products, which give the body not only the necessary energy and strength, but also a variety of vitamins, including not so well-known, but no less important vitamins of the K group.
