This is a reader-friendly overview of Vitamin K. For more details, see our health professional fact sheet on Vitamin K. Show
What is vitamin K and what does it do?Vitamin K is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. It’s important for blood clotting and healthy bones and also has other functions in the body. If you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin®), it's very important to get about the same amount of vitamin K each day. How much vitamin K do I need?The amount of vitamin K you need depends on your age and sex. Average daily recommended amounts are listed below in micrograms (mcg). Life StageRecommended AmountBirth to 6 months2.0 mcg7–12 months2.5 mcg1–3 years30 mcg4–8 years55 mcg9–13 years60 mcg14–18 years75 mcgAdult men 19 years and older120 mcgAdult women 19 years and older90 mcgPregnant or breastfeeding teens75 mcgPregnant or breastfeeding women90 mcgWhat foods provide vitamin K?Vitamin K is found naturally in many foods. You can get recommended amounts of vitamin K by eating a variety of foods, including the following:
You can find links to more food sources of vitamin K in the last section of this fact sheet, Where can I find out more about Vitamin K? What kinds of vitamin K dietary supplements are available?Vitamin K is found in multivitamin/multimineral supplements. Vitamin K is also available in supplements of vitamin K alone or of vitamin K with a few other nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and/or vitamin D. Common forms of vitamin K in dietary supplements are phylloquinone and phytonadione (also called vitamin K1), menaquinone-4, and menaquinone-7 (also called vitamin K2). Am I getting enough vitamin K?Vitamin K deficiency is very rare. Most people in the United States get enough vitamin K from the foods they eat. Also, bacteria in the colon make some vitamin K that the body can absorb. However, certain groups of people may have trouble getting enough vitamin K:
What happens if I don't get enough vitamin K?Severe vitamin K deficiency can cause bruising and bleeding problems because the blood will take longer to clot. Vitamin K deficiency might reduce bone strength and increase the risk of getting osteoporosis because the body needs vitamin K for healthy bones. What are some effects of vitamin K on health?Scientists are studying vitamin K to understand how it affects our health. Here are some examples of what this research has shown. OsteoporosisVitamin K is important for healthy bones. Some research shows that people who eat more vitamin K-rich foods have stronger bones and are less likely to break a hip than those who eat less of these foods. A few studies have found that taking vitamin K supplements improves bone strength and the chances of breaking a bone, but other studies have not. More research is needed to better understand if vitamin K supplements can help improve bone health and reduce osteoporosis risk. Coronary heart diseaseScientists are studying whether low blood levels of vitamin K increase the risk of coronary heart disease, perhaps by making blood vessels that feed the heart stiffer and narrower. More research is needed to understand whether vitamin K supplements might help prevent heart disease. Can vitamin K be harmful?Vitamin K has not been shown to cause any harm. However, it can interact with some medications, particularly warfarin (Coumadin®)—see the information below. Does vitamin K interact with medications or other dietary supplements?Yes, some medications may interact with vitamin K. Here are a few examples: Warfarin (Coumadin®)Vitamin K can have a serious interaction with the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin®). If you take warfarin, make sure that the amount of vitamin K you consume from food and supplements is about the same every day. A sudden change in the amount of vitamin K you get can cause dangerous bleeding (if you consume less) or blood clots (if you consume more). AntibioticsAntibiotics can destroy the good bacteria in your gut. Some of these bacteria make vitamin K. Using antibiotics for more than a few weeks may reduce the amount of vitamin K made in your gut and therefore, the amount available for your body to use. Bile acid sequestrantsSome people take bile acid sequestrants (such as cholestyramine [Questran®] and colestipol [Colestid®]) to lower blood cholesterol levels. These medications can reduce the amount of vitamin K your body absorbs, especially if you take them for many years. OrlistatOrlistat (Alli® and Xenical®) is a weight-loss drug. It reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs and can decrease the absorption of vitamin K. Tell your doctor, pharmacist, and other health care providers about any dietary supplements and prescription or over-the-counter medicines you take. They can tell you if the dietary supplements might interact with your medicines or if the medicines might interfere with how your body absorbs, uses, or breaks down nutrients such as vitamin K. Vitamin K and healthful eatingPeople should get most of their nutrients from food and beverages, according to the federal government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Foods contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, and other components that benefit health. In some cases, fortified foods and dietary supplements are useful when it is not possible to meet needs for one or more nutrients (for example, during specific life stages such as pregnancy). For more information about building a healthy dietary pattern, see the Dietary Guidelines for Americans  Where can I find out more about Vitamin K?
DisclaimerThis fact sheet by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) provides information that should not take the place of medical advice. We encourage you to talk to your health care providers (doctor, registered dietitian, pharmacist, etc.) about your interest in, questions about, or use of dietary supplements and what may be best for your overall health. Any mention in this publication of a specific product or service, or recommendation from an organization or professional society, does not represent an endorsement by ODS of that product, service, or expert advice. What food is high in vitamin K?Food Sources. Green leafy vegetables including collard and turnip greens, kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuces.. Soybean and canola oil.. Salad dressings made with soybean or canola oil.. Fortified meal replacement shakes.. What are major food sources of vitamin K quizlet?What are the sources for vitamin k? Green leafy vegetables;broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and kale. Dairy products; eggs, meats, fruits, and cereals.
What fruit is high in vitamin K?A cup of sliced avocado can give you up to 50 micrograms of vitamin K. One-half cup of stewed prunes nets you about 32 micrograms. Blueberries (14 microgram/half-cup) and grapes (11 micrograms/half-cup) and apples (up to 5 micrograms for one small apple) have lower amounts but are easy to add to a meal on the go.
Which food would the nurse include in teaching for a client who is deficient in vitamin A?The treatment for mild forms of vitamin A deficiency includes eating vitamin A-rich foods - eg, liver, beef, oily fish, chicken, eggs, fortified milk, carrots, mangoes, sweet potatoes and leafy green vegetables.
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