One of four fat-soluble vitamins, including A, D and E, is an essential supplement to the human body. There are two main types of vitamins, one found in plants and another in the body.

About 10% of our body's vitamins K1 and K2 can be made by the bacterium in the gut. Small amounts of K2 can be found in a variety of foods, including sauerkraut and kimchi.

According to a spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,Vitamin K plays a role in bone formation and heart and eye health.

For a generally healthy adult, 90 to 120mcg per day is the adequate intake of vitamins K, C, and E. It takes half a cup of greens to provide 530 calories.

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We will reveal more about the benefits and signs of deficiency.

Caroline Passerrello, RD

Prothrombin is needed for blood clotting, bone metabolism and wound healing, but it can't be produced without vitamins K and K2 The Harvard School of Public Health says that the vitamins help produce four of the 13 clotting factors.

Stronger bones

The production of healthy bone tissue is aided by the production of osteocalcin. It works with other vitamins as well.

Sherry Ross is a women's health expert at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica.

People who eat a lot of vitamins K and K2 are less likely to break a hip than people who don't, but more research is needed in this area.

Dr Sherry Ross, MD

Healthy heart

A growing body of research shows the importance of vitamins K and C for cardiovascular health. A study by Edith Cowan University found that people who ate a lot of vitamins K and K2 had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Improved eyesight 

It's possible that the eyes will benefit from the vitamins K and K. In a small study of 935 people in their forties, researchers from the University of Leuven in Belgium found a link between their levels of matrix Gla protein or MGP and the Retinal Microvascular diameter 11 years later.

The study showed that it could be possible to promote eye health with the use of vitamins K and C.

woman having an eye test at the opticians

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Memory

The ability to think, learn and remember has been found to be boosted by higher levels of vitamins K and C.

Healthy gut

It's unique because it's produced by beneficial microbes in the large intestines and you can get it from some foods. Eating sauerkraut can help maintain healthy levels of K2 in the body.

woman and her daughter eating a diet to support gut-brain axis

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How much vitamin K should you consume?

Your age and sex can affect the amount of vitamins K you need. TheNIH recommends that American men and women consume 120 and 90mcg, respectively.

The amount of vitamins K and K2 in one cup is seven times the Recommended Daily Allowance.

There is a question of whether or not there is a toxic dose of vitamins K and K2. Passerrello said that most vitamins and minerals have guidelines for minimum and maximum intake levels. It is not possible to have a tolerable upper limit for vitamin k.

The Food and Nutrition Board stated in its report that there have been no reports of adverse effects on humans or animals from eating or taking vitamins.

What are the best sources of vitamin K?

Good sources of vitamins K are listed.

  • Dark leafy greens
  • Broccoli 
  • Cauliflower 
  • Sauerkraut
  • Prunes
  • Kiwi
  • Hard cheeses
  • Avocado
  • Soybean oil
  • Egg yolks
  • Liver
  • Duck
  • Blackberries & blueberries 

woman chopping kale on a board

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Passerrello says that fat-soluble vitamins are better absorbed by the body when eaten along with a diet rich in fat and calories.

Signs of vitamin K deficiency

The production of blood-clotting factors is dependent on the availability of vitamins K and C. Blood can be found in urine and stools, as well as under nails and under fingernails.

If you have a deficiency in vitamins K and K1, you may be at greater risk.

  • Have a gut-related medical condition that affects absorption 
  • Are on antibiotics
  • Are taking anticoagulants (blood thinners)
  • Are severely malnourished 
  • Have a high alcohol consumption
  • Have had bariatric (weight loss) surgery 

People with gastrointestinal disorders are more susceptible to being deficient in vitamins because they can't properly absorb them. Supplements can be used for these conditions.

People on blood thinners need to maintain a consistent level of vitamins K and K2 in their diet.

She says that since 1961, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that all newborn babies be given vitamins. Breast milk has low levels of Vitamins K and K2 in it.

People who have undergone a long course of antibiotics are more likely to have a deficiency in vitamins K and C. Antibiotics kill off their gut flora, preventing them from making vitamins.

If you have a healthy gut flora and don't have problems with fat absorption, you're not likely to experience a deficiency of vitamins K and C. Speak to your health care professional if you think you are deficient.

The article is not meant to give medical advice.

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