Back to knowledge libraryVitamin K
What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K (also known as phylloquinone) is a fat soluble vitamin found naturally in foods such as green leafy vegetables. This micronutrient plays an important role in blood clotting and helps to maintain bone structure. The NHS recommends an intake of 1ug per kilogram of body weight per day for adults. For example, a 70kg adult would be recommended an intake of 70u per day and eating 50g of boiled broccoli would meet this target.
What is the role of Vitamin K?
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting to help wounds heal and it also helps maintain healthy bones. Vitamin K can be stored in the liver for future use, meaning an adult with a balanced health diet should be able to get enough vitamin K without supplementation.
What foods contain Vitamin K?
Vitamin K rich foods include green leafy vegetables like broccoli and spinach, vegetable oils and cereal grains. Small amounts are also found in dairy and meat products.
Further Resources:
References:
National Health Service (2020). Vitamin K. Available at:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-andminerals /vitamin-k/ [Accessed 04 September 2024].
National Institutes of Health (2021). Vitamin K. Available at:
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-HealthProfessional/ [Accessed 04 September 2024].
Written By:
Lucy Clarkson, SENR Nutritionist and Database Support, myfood24.