5 silent signs of Vitamin K deficiency you should look out for
Vitamin K is an essential nutrient
Just like other vitamins and minerals,
our body requires a sufficient amount of vitamin K as well. Vitamin K
is an essential fat-soluble nutrient which is important to the bone,
heart health and plays a major role in helping the blood clot and brain
function. Even after being such an essential mineral for the body,
vitamin K isn’t one we hear a lot about. And lack of awareness about it
is the reason why up to 31 per cent of the global adults' population has
insufficient K vitamin. Here we will tell you why this nutrient is
essential for the body and the common signs of Vitamin K deficiency.
Why Vitamin K is essential for the body
There are two main forms of
Vitamin K - Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which comes from plants like
spinach and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone), which is naturally produced in the
intestinal tract. Our body requires both these kinds of Vitamin K
primarily to stop clotting and bleeding.
Vitamin K deficiency
in adults is rare but newborn babies are particularly at risk. This is
because most of the food we eat is packed with an adequate amount of
Vitamin K. However, some drugs and certain health conditions
can interfere with Vitamin K absorption and creation. Here are some
common signs of Vitamin K deficiency you must look out for.
Your cuts bleed excessively
Vitamin K deficiency
makes it difficult for blood to clot, leading to excessive blood loss.
This increases the risk of fatality after getting severely injured,
causing loss of a dangerous amount of blood. Heavy menstrual period and
nose bleeding are some silent signs that you need to take care of our
vitamin K level.
Your bones are not that strong
Vitamin K is also an important mineral to
keep the bones healthy and strong. Some studies linked a sufficient
amount of Vitamin K intake with a higher bone mineral density.
Deficiency of this nutrient may even lead to osteoporosis. Due to this,
you may often experience pain in the joints and the bones.
You get bruised easily
Those who suffer from Vitamin K deficiency
also get bruised easily. Even a small bump can turn into a large bruise
that does not heal quickly. The bruising is quite common around the head
or face. Some people also get small blood clots underneath their nails.
You have gastrointestinal problems
Inadequate intake of Vitamin K also leads to different gastrointestinal problems. The condition may increase the risks of having gastrointestinal haemorrhage and bleeding, which will increase the chances of blood in the urine and stools. In rare cases, it also leads to bleeding in the mucosal membrane inside the body
Your gums bleed
Bleeding gum and dental issues are some
other common signs of Vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K2 is responsible
for activation of a protein called osteocalcin. This protein carries
calcium and minerals to the teeth, deficiency of which prevents this
mechanism and makes our teeth weak. The process leads to loss of teeth
and excessive bleeding in gums and teeth.