It is a fat-soluble vitamin required in many metabolic processes of the body e.g. bone and cartilage repair, blood coagulation. Vitamin K lays a role in clot formation as well as prevention of clots, but abnormal clotting cause problems in the body.
The clotting process is a complex one. It requires more than 12 proteins to function properly. About 4 of these proteins require Vitamin K. Rarely its deficiency causes disorders in the clotting process. Infants have its deficiency because Vitamin K is not absorbed through the placenta.
Decreased Vitamin K levels have been linked to heart disease. Researchers have now suggested a 500mcg intake of Vitamin K daily.
Vitamin K activates the protein osteocalcin, the protein is useful in the mineralization of bone. Osteoporosis has been shown to be linked with the deficiency of Vitamin K. Vitamin K dependant-proteins in the joints have also been shown to be the reason for Vitamin K deficiency.
Food sources include green vegetables, legumes. Many fruits have been shown to contain Vitamin K in higher amounts than usual. Blueberries, Soybeans 1/3rd of the total daily intake of Vitamin K.
Bacteria in the intestines produce Vitamin K but this is not sufficient and more is needed from the diet. 2-3 servings of green leafy vegetables contain enough to cover the daily intake of Vitamin K.