Product Information

Vitamin K helps to prevent the calcification of Arteries. Vitamin K helps to prevent Arteriosclerosis/Stroke and improves the health of the Heart (by facilitating the removal of excessive Calcium from the Heart, helps to prevent Heart Attack. Frequent nose bleeds can occur as a result of Vitamin K deficiency. Inhibits the development of Breast Cancer/Colon Cancer/Stomach Cancer/Liver Cancer. Reduces inflammation . Vitamin K alleviates and prevents Osteoporosis and increases the levels of calcium within the bones. Alcohol destroys Vitamin K. Assists with Rheumatoid Arthritis, Crohn's, Ulcerative Colitis and Alzheimer's. Miscarriage can occur as a result of Vitamin K deficiency and Vitamin K1 alleviates Morning Sickness. Some Cholesterol-Lowering Pharmaceutical Drugs, Pharmaceutical Antacids/Anticoagulants/Laxatives inhibit the absorption and synthesis of Vitamin K.

Description

Also known as: Anti-Haemorrhagic Vitamin; Anti-Hemorrhagic Vitamin; Menadione

Vitamin K is a Fat-Soluble Vitamin. Chemically it is a type of Quinine. Vitamin K is rarely publicized, but recent has shown that is possesses many additional health benefits in addition to the cardiovascular functions that were classically acknowledged.

Health Benefits of Vitamin K

Cardiovascular System

Vitamin K helps to prevent the calcification of Arteries.
Vitamin K helps to prevent Atherosclerosis (by inhibiting the calcification of Arteries).
Excessive or frequent Bleeding (Hemorrhage) can occur as a result of Vitamin K deficiency.
Vitamin K is essential for the process of Blood Clotting which prevents excessive Bleeding arising from Wounds (due to Vitamin K being an essential cofactor for the production of Prothrombin).

Vitamin K improves the health of the Heart (by facilitating the removal of excessive Calcium from the Heart).
Vitamin K helps to prevent Heart Attack (by facilitating the removal of excessive Calcium from the Aorta of the Heart).
Frequent Nosebleeds can occur as a result of Vitamin K deficiency.

Vitamin K helps to prevent Stroke (by inhibiting the calcification and thickening of Cerebral Arteries).

Digestive System

Many Colic Disease patients are found to be deficient in Vitamin K (indicating that supplemental Vitamin K would benefit Colic Disease patients).
Crohn's Disease patients are usually found to be deficient in Vitamin K.
Diarrhea can occur as a result of Vitamin K deficiency.
Ulcerative Colitis patients are usually found to be deficient in Vitamin K.

Immune System

Vitamin K inhibits the development of some forms of Cancer:

Vitamin K inhibits the development of Breast Cancer.
Vitamin K helps to prevent Colon Cancer.
Vitamin K retards the development of Liver Cancer.
Vitamin K helps to prevent Stomach Cancer.

Vitamin K reduces Inflammation.

Metabolism

Vitamin K is an Antioxidant it protects the Liver (but not the Muscles) from Free Radicals damage and is approximately 80% as effective as Vitamin E for preventing the oxidation of Linoleic Acid.
Cystic Fibrosis patients are usually deficient in Vitamin K.
Lack of Energy can occur as a result of Vitamin K deficiency (due to Vitamin K's role in the production of Adenosine Triphosphate[ATP]).

Vitamin K concentrates in the Pancreas (the Pancreas contains the second highest amount of Vitamin K of any organ of the body).

Musculoskeletal System

Vitamin K1 enhances the health of Bones (by activating inactive Calcitonin, enabling Calcitonin to transfer Calcium into the Bones).
Vitamin K deficiency increases the risk of Fractures (due to the non-production or non-activation of Calcitonin).
Vitamin K2 causes the death (apoptosis) of Osteoclasts (thereby limiting their ability to stimulate Bone-resorption) and inhibits the production of new Osteoclasts.
Vitamin K (1 mg per day) alleviates and prevents Osteoporosis (by activating Calcitonin and by inhibiting Osteoclasts):

1 mg of supplemental Vitamin K per day reduces the loss of Calcium from the Bones of Osteoarthritis patients by 35 50%.

Vitamin K stabilizes the synovial linings of tissues that are afflicted as a result of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Nervous System

Alzheimer’s Disease patients generally have sub-optimal levels of Vitamin K and supplemental Vitamin K may help to prevent and alleviate Alzheimer’s Disease.

Oral Health

Vitamin K (applied topically to the Teeth via the use of chewing gum or ingested orally) helps to prevent Tooth Decay (by interfering with acid-forming enzymes to inhibit the formation of Lactic Acid on the Teeth; and by enhancing the production of Osteocalcin [which attracts Calcium into the Teeth]).

Sexual System

Miscarriage can occur as a result of Vitamin K deficiency.
Vitamin K1 alleviates Morning Sickness:

In one study 5 mg Vitamin K1 per day combined with 25 mg Vitamin C per day alleviated Morning Sickness in 91% of subjects after three days of usage by decreasing placental capillary permeability and thereby preventing the transport of toxins into maternal circulation.

The female body's requirement for Vitamin K increases during Pregnancy (33% of pregnant women are found to be deficient in Vitamin K).

Skin

Vitamin K (2% 5% cream applied topically twice per day for approximately one week) prevents Bruising and accelerates the healing of Bruises.
Vitamin K (cream applied topically) alleviates Purpura.
Vitamin K (2% 5% cream applied topically) reduces the “redness” of the Skin that is associated with Rosacea.
Vitamin K (applied topically) reduces Scarring.
Vitamin K (cream applied topically for at least six weeks) helps to clear Telangiectasias (Spider Veins) on the legs, face and thighs.
Vitamin K (applied topically) improves the visual appearance of the Skin:

One clinical study found that the use of a topically applied cream containing 1% Vitamin K reduces red blotches on the Skin and lightens dark circles under the Eyes.

Vitamin K (applied topically to the Skin) may help to diminish the appearance of Wrinkles specialized topical forms of Vitamin K have been developed for the treatment of Wrinkles.

Vitamin K Enhances the Function of these Substances

Amino Acids

Vitamin K is an essential catalyst for the incorporation of Gamma-Carboxyglutamate into Osteocalcin and Prothrombin.

Carbohydrates

Vitamin K facilitates the conversion of Glucose into Glycogen.

Enzymes

Vitamin K is an essential cofactor for many Carboxylases.

Hormones

Vitamin K1 activates inactive Calcitonin.

Krebs Cycle

Vitamin K facilitates the production of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) within the Mitochondria.

Minerals

Vitamin K increases the levels of Calcium within the Bones (by activating Calcitonin) and inhibits the accumulation of excessive Calcium in other organs of the body such as the Heart and Arteries.

Polyphenols

Vitamin K enhances the effectiveness of Ipriflavone when Ipriflavone is used to stimulate Bone formation and to treat Osteoporosis.

Proteins

Vitamin K influences the function of Matrix Gla Protein.
Vitamin K is involved in the synthesis of Osteocalcin (Osteocalcin must be saturated with Carboxyl Groups and this attachment of Carboxyl Groups requires Vitamin K).
Vitamin K is essential for the production of Prothrombin.

Vitamin K Inhibits these Potentially Toxic Substances

Immune System Chemicals

Vitamin K inhibits the production of excessive Interleukin 6 (IL-6).

Lipids

Vitamin K inhibits the production of Prostaglandin E2.

Proteins

Vitamin K (Vitamin K2 form) lowers Fibrinogen levels (however an impractically high dosage of 70 700 mg per day is required in order to achieve this effect).

These Substances Enhance the Function of Vitamin K

Digestive Chemicals

Adequate Bile levels are required for the optimal absorption of Vitamin K.
Adequate Pancreatic Juice levels are required for the optimal absorption of Vitamin K.

Microorganisms

Vitamin K can be manufactured within the Small Intestine by Lactobacillus Bacteria:

Vitamin K can be manufactured within the Small Intestine by Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Proteins

The Fat-Soluble form of Chlorophyll contains Vitamin K (Vitamin K1 form) within its molecular structure.

These Substances Interfere with Vitamin K

Carbohydrates

Chitosan is strongly speculated to impair the absorption of Vitamin K.
Electromagnetic Radiation

Light destroys Vitamin K.

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Pharmaceutical Antibiotics destroy the Bacteria that are responsible for the production of endogenous Vitamin K:

Sulfonamides prevent the endogenous manufacture of Vitamin K (by destroying the body's endogenous beneficial bacteria).

Some Cholesterol-Lowering Pharmaceutical Drugs (Clofibrate, Cholestyramine and Colestipol) inhibit the absorption and synthesis of Vitamin K.
Pharmaceutical Antacids impair the body's absorption of Vitamin K.
Pharmaceutical Anticoagulants are direct Vitamin K antagonists (although it should be kept in mind that supplementing with Vitamin K while using Pharmaceutical Anti-Coagulants defeats the purpose of the drug):

Coumadin (Warfarin) functions by interfering with Vitamin K. It also abolishes the Antioxidant effects of Vitamin K.

Pharmaceutical Laxatives cause depletion of the body's Vitamin K reserves.

Processed Foods

Olestra binds to and prevents the absorption of Vitamin K.

Recreational Drugs

Alcohol (ethanol) destroys Vitamin K.

These Ailments Interfere with Vitamin K

Orthodox Medical Procedures

Pancreatic Insufficiency causes impairment of the absorption of Vitamin K.

These Factors Interfere with Vitamin K

Orthodox Medical Procedures

Most forms of Chemotherapy interfere with the intestinal absorption of dietary Vitamin K and also interfere with Vitamin K synthesis in the Liver.

Vitamin K Interferes with these Substances

Pharmaceutical Drugs

Persons using Warfarin should not use supplemental Vitamin K and should avoid consumption of large quantities of Foods with a high Vitamin K content (as Vitamin K facilitates Blood Clotting, thereby reducing the effectiveness of Warfarin).

Toxic Effects of Excessive Vitamin K

Cardiovascular System

It is often claimed that high Vitamin K intake may cause abnormal, excessive Blood Clotting:

however, many es state that high Vitamin K intake does not cause excessive Blood Clotting (over-coagulation) as the Endogenous Proteins involved in Coagulation have only a finite number of spaces for Vitamin K.

Excretory System

Mega doses of Vitamin K cause excessive Perspiration.

Skin

Mega doses of Vitamin K cause flushing (Rashes) of the Skin.

Forms of Vitamin K

Vitamin K1 (also known as Konakion; Phylloquinone; Phytonadione; Phytomenadione; Phytylmenaquinone) is a naturally-occurring form of Vitamin K found in plants. Almost all dietary Vitamin K is in this form, although it is converted within the human body to the Vitamin K2 form.
Vitamin K2 is a family of substances known as Menaquinones (also known as Menatetrenone). These are naturally-occurring forms present in animal sources of Vitamin K. They are produced by Bacteria in the Intestines and possess 60% 75% of the potency of Vitamin K1. Vitamin K3 (Menaquinone) forms the root (base) of the chemical structure of the Vitamin K2 family (the Vitamin K2 family is therefore collectively known as Menaquinones). Specific compounds within this family include:

Menaquinone-6 (MK-6): The chemical names for this form are Hexaprenylmenaquinone; Prenylmenaquinone-6; and 2-methyl-3-hexaprenyl-1,4-
napthoquinone. It is also known as Vitamin K2(30). It is isolated from putrified Fish meal. The potency of this form of Vitamin K2 is approximately 60% that of Vitamin K1.
Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is Menaquinone-6 with a 3 heptaprenyl side chain. It is also known as Vitamin K2(35)
Vitamin K3 (also known as Menadione; Menaquinone; Menaphthone; MK) is a synthetic form of Vitamin K that possesses twice the potency of Vitamin K1. Vitamin K3 forms the base for the Vitamin K2 family and for the following pharmaceutical forms of Vitamin K (the procurement of these forms of Vitamin K requires a prescription):
Menadiol Sodium Diphosphate is a dihydro derivative of Vitamin K3. Its chemical name is Tetrasodium 2-methyl-1,4-naphthalenediol-bis(dihdrogen phosphate).
Menadione Sodium Bisulfate is an analog of Vitamin K3 used as a pharmaceutical drug. Its procurement requires a prescription.
Vitamin K4 (also known as Acetomenaphththone; Menadiol Diacetate) is Menadiol acetylated at both OH groups. The chemical formula for this form of Vitamin K is 2-
Methyl-1,4-Napthohydroquinone Diacetate.
Dosage Recommendations

Prevalence of Vitamin K Deficiency

It was previously believed that deficiency of Vitamin K was a rare occurrence but contemporary orthomolecular practitioners now recognize that Vitamin K deficiency is more prevalent than previously thought. Contemporary practitioners now recognize Vitamin K supplementation as being highly beneficial for some Bone disorders.

Human Body Content/Consumption

The average human body contains a total of 50 100 micrograms of Vitamin K.
The average Plasma concentration of Vitamin K is 0.4 1.2 micrograms per liter of Blood Plasma.
Population studies indicate that the average human daily consumption of Vitamin K is 59 82 micrograms per day.

Dosage (Conservative)

The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin K is 80 micrograms for men and 65 micrograms for women.l
Some medical experts believe that the current RDA for Vitamin K is too low to exert many of the therapeutic effects attributed to Vitamin K (e.g. protecting the Bones and Arteries). The same experts now recommend an optimal daily intake of 10 mg of Vitamin K per day.

Dosage (Pharmaceutical)

The usual dose of the Menadione Sodium Bisulfate analog of Vitamin K3 used for the treatment of insufficient Prothrombin deficiency is 30 mg per day (taken as three divided doses of 10 mg each).

Maximum Dosage

Doses of 45 mg per day of Vitamin K have been used in Osteoporosis studies without any toxicity occurring.

Bioavailability

Absorption & Transport

Vitamin K is absorbed by the Ileum and Jejunum of the Small Intestine:

The absorption of dietary, supplemental and injected Vitamin K varies between 10% 80% (average 50%), depending on the quantity of accompanying Dietary Fat and the efficiency of Bile Acids.
Following its absorption, it is (like other Lipids) 90% of Vitamin K is transported on Chylomicrons, then VLDL and LDL to the Liver for storage.
50% of the Liver’s Vitamin K is in the form of Vitamin K1 and the other 50% is in the form of Vitamin K2 (although serum Vitamin K is almost all in the form of Vitamin K1 which suggests that Vitamin K2 is capable of conversion to Vitamin K1).

Unlike other Fat-Soluble Vitamins, the body's reserves of Vitamin K are depleted rapidly during periods of insufficient Vitamin K intake.

Duration of Action

The half-life of Vitamin K is 1.5 to 3 hours.