by Vic Shayne, PhD

Few people have heard of vitamin K. It’s not as popular, by any stretch, as vitamin C or vitamin D, but there’s no doubt it’s vital to your health. Vitamin K, known by its scientific name as phylloquinone, was discovered by a Dutch scientist. The “K” stands for koagulation, which means, of course, “coagulation.” That’s because vitamin K works in the liver to create chemicals that help our blood congeal, saving us from excessive bleeding when we are cut, wounded or experience damaged blood vessels (typical in cases of stroke, hemorrhaging or arterial disease, for instance).

Some possible signs of a deficiency of vitamin K-containing foods may include nose bleeds, internal bleeding, bruising easily, anemia and certain birth defects.

In addition to allowing the blood to clot, vitamin K has a special role in building bones. So, in cases of osteoporosis, broken bones, weak bones and growing bones, vitamin K is essential. Taking calcium supplements for bones is not enough; our bodies also need proteins, good fats (unrefined oils and fats from vegetable sources such as cod liver oil, and organic evening primrose oil, coconut butter, butter, etc.) and other nutrients.

When people have a very good diet full of real, whole, nutritious foods, including fruits, green vegetables, and quality meats, vitamin K deficiency is not likely. However, the problem is that poor nutrition is becoming the norm rather than the exception. This is because most people eat diets that contain altered fats, bad fats, sugars, artificial ingredients and processed foods; they don’t eat enough vegetables. This is the reality, and this is why vitamin K deficiencies can occur.

The doctors’ textbook, Merck Manual, states, “Biliary obstruction [a blocked gallbladder], malabsorption, cystic fibrosis, and resection of the small intestine can contribute to vitamin K deficiency.” But let’s not forget to add to the list that a lack of green vegetables in the diet is a major culprit as well. Further, if you are on blood thinners (or even a lot of aspirin) prescribed by a cardiologist, then vitamin K foods are actually ill-advised (you’re not allowed to eat them) because vitamin K will counteract blood-thinning drugs (such as coumadin).

Although green vegetables may have been a staple of our parents or grandparent’s era (depending on how old you are), today they have taken a backseat to take out food, fast food, junk foods, processed food, barbecued food and packaged food. What we need is a good daily dose of fresh, organic broccoli, asparagus, spinach, alfalfa grass, peas, wheat grass, barley, kelp, spirulina, kale, cabbage, cucumber, green beans, and fruits such as apples, peaches, bananas and tomatoes. Brussels sprouts, endive and many lettuces contain vitamin K as well. So the question is: are these foods a regular part of your diet or your children’s diet?

Vitamin K foods are also found in the whole food supplements SuperGreens PhytoFood and GreenNutrients (NutriPlex Formulas).

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