Phylloquinone, also known as vitamin K1, is essential for blood clotting and bone formation. It is found in leafy greens, avocados, coffee, and beans, and is produced by intestinal bacteria. Deficiencies are rare but can occur in people with liver problems, on blood thinners, or with abnormal bowel function. Newborns receive injections of vitamin K to prevent hemorrhagic disease. The link between vitamin K and osteoporosis is unclear, but many natural treatments involve increased intake of the vitamin.
Phylloquinone is another name for vitamin K1, a vitamin used primarily by the body for proper blood clotting. Vitamin K1 is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that excessive amounts are stored in the fatty tissue of the body instead of being excreted as water-soluble vitamins. The name vitamin K comes from the German word for blood coagulation or coagulation.
Several foods are naturally high in phylloquinone, including vegetables like spinach, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Filiquinone is also present in avocados, coffee, green tea, and various types of beans. In addition to dietary sources, the species of bacteria normally present in the human intestine produce this vitamin. This production can be enhanced by consuming cultured milk and yogurt products.
The wide variety of foods with high levels of phylloquinone and the fact that this vitamin is produced in the human intestine means that vitamin K deficiencies are rare, especially in Western countries. However, some people may be at higher risk of this deficiency, including people who take blood thinners, liver problems, or very strict diets. Other people with abnormal bowel function, such as inflammatory bowel disease or people on high or prolonged antibiotic regimens, may also be at risk of deficiency. Deficiency symptoms are related to the blood-clotting functions of this vitamin and include frequent nosebleeds, bleeding gums, easy bruising, or heavy bleeding during menstruation.
A dangerous condition in newborns known as hemorrhagic disease has been associated with a lack of normal levels of vitamin K1. This is explained by the fact that newborns do not yet contain the vitamin K1-producing species of bacteria in their intestines. For this reason, babies born in the US receive injections of vitamin K. A small minority have stated that these injections are associated with higher rates of childhood leukemia, but because a connection has never been proven, injections of Vitamin K are standard practice in the United States and are required by law in some states.
In addition to its role in blood clotting, phylloquinone is required for certain proteins important in bone formation. Due to the association of vitamin K with bone formation, several studies have examined the possible relationship between low levels of vitamin K and the development of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a relatively common condition in petite women of European descent in which the bones become brittle and prone to fracture after menopause.
Although some studies have suggested that there might be a link between low vitamin K levels and an increased risk of hip fracture, the results were inconclusive and an actual link between vitamin K and osteoporosis is unclear. Despite this lack of clarity, many natural osteoporosis treatments involve increased intake of vitamin K. Additionally, several over-the-counter bone-building supplements contain this vitamin in addition to vitamin D and calcium.
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