Vitamin K capsules can be valuable supplements. Vitamin K combined with other essential nutrients in a top-quality supplement — rather than buying this one vitamin alone — makes the most sense, for nearly all of us.
The benefits of Vitamin K include normal blood clotting, and there is some evidence that it may be important for healthy bones. An interesting fact: It seems likely this vitamin has another vital function that we don’t even know about yet
Normal blood clotting of course is essential so that we don’t bleed to death, or bleed severely from even minor injuries. People with advanced liver disease can be struck by severe hemorrhaging because their bodies can’t normally metabolize Vitamin K.
The natural sources, and a sensible diet
The best natural sources are green leafy vegetables, especially spinach, kale, collards and turnip greens.
People with a history of abnormal blood clots — for example, some heart disease, phlebitis and other medical issues — may be given blood thinners like coumadin, also called warfarin. Since blood thinners and Vitamin K oppose each other’s action, this has led many physicians to tell their patients to stop eating green leafy vegetables entirely.
But all the body’s functions are a matter of balance — and green leafy vegetables are among the most nourishing foods, low in calories, packed with vitamins and minerals.
Some advice from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University seems reasonable:
The best solution for those on blood thinners like coumadin is to maintain a reasonably stable level of green leafy vegetables and salads in the diet — no big variations from day to day. No binging on fresh spinach or turnip greens, as someone might be tempted to do when the garden comes up beautiful and green. (For those of us who don’t need blood thinners, a big plate of spinach, kale or any other green leafy vegetable is about the healthiest treat imaginable!)
The Oregon State institute also points out that Vitamin K’s most important benefit may still be unknown. “…This fact, along with the existence of a unique pathway for its synthesis, suggests that MK-4 has a unique biological function that has not yet been identified,” says the Institute.
Except in the case of specialized medical diagnoses, it’s a waste of money to buy Vitamin K capsules alone. Much better to take a product with a wide variety of nutrients that will work in synergy to optimize health.
Kathryn Lane is a longtime health and nutrition researcher. The best nutrition supplements she has found have never been the most expensive or the most heavily advertised. See her website: http://www.abc-balanced-supplements.info/
