Vitamin K is an essential nutrient in our diet that contributes to blood clotting, bone health and more. Without an adequate amount of vitamin K, you may begin to experience certain side effects or risks that can directly affect your daily activities.

Many people are unaware that they are not getting the recommended daily allowance of this important vitamin in their diet, due to factors such as poor nutrition or health issues. To be sure to take preventive measures for your health, it is important to recognize the signs associated with a lack of vitamin K in order to act.

In this blog post, we’ll cover five tell-tale signs of a deficiency so you can work on rectifying any potential issues before they affect your overall well-being down the road. Let’s go !

What causes vitamin K deficiency?

Vitamin K deficiency is a serious condition that can occur when the body is unable to absorb sufficient amounts of this nutrient. Many aspects of diet and lifestyle are linked to vitamin K deficiency, such as:

  • Insufficient consumption of green leafy vegetables.
  • Malabsorption due to severe kidney or gastrointestinal problems.
  • Alcohol abuse.
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases.

Unfortunately, these diet and lifestyle factors can be difficult for some people to change or manage due to their socioeconomic status or other limitations. It is therefore important to understand the risks associated with this deficiency and take steps to ensure that your diet is made up of foods rich in vitamin K.

The 5 signs showing that you have a lack of vitamin K.

  1. Easy bruises:

One of the common signs of vitamin K deficiency is easy bruising. People who are deficient in vitamin K tend to bruise more easily, as well as larger bruises that take longer to heal. This is because vitamin K helps to trigger the production of proteins necessary for blood clotting, and its absence can therefore lead to slow healing and excessive bruising.

  1. Nosebleeds:

A nosebleed can indicate that a person is not getting enough vitamin K. As mentioned before, this essential nutrient helps in the blood clotting process in the body. A lack of vitamin K reduces the blood’s ability to clot, which is needed to stop bleeding. Without adequate amounts of vitamin K, a person will experience frequent or spontaneous bleeding, including coughing up and sneezing blood, or even persistent nosebleeds.

If a person has recurrent nosebleeds, it would be a good idea for them to contact their health care provider to have tests done and discuss possible diet and lifestyle changes to make sure they have adequate medication. an adequate amount of vitamin K in his body.

  1. Bleeding gums:

If your gums bleed more easily than usual, especially when brushing or flossing, this may be a sign of vitamin K deficiency. This is because vitamin K helps activate proteins responsible for forming a protective barrier around the teeth, which prevents them from bleeding too easily during daily dental hygiene routines.

  1. Excessive menstrual bleeding:

Although some people naturally have heavier periods than usual, if your monthly menstrual flow suddenly seems heavier or unusually long, it could indicate a problem with your vitamin K levels.

Inadequate amounts of this essential nutrient can interfere with the ability to form clots and thus cause excessive bleeding during periods of menstruation that persists beyond normal durations or intensities.

  1. Symptoms of anemia:

Finally, another indication that you may not be getting enough vitamin K can be symptoms associated with anemia, including fatigue, headaches, difficulty concentrating, and dizziness, among others. due to insufficient formation of red blood cells due to reduced clotting ability related to a lack of vitamin K in the body.

What is the recommended daily intake of vitamin K?

  • Children between the ages of 1 and 3 should consume 30 micrograms of vitamin K daily to ensure proper blood clotting and bone health.
  • Adults aged 19 and over need at least 90 micrograms per day. It is especially important for pregnant women to consume adequate amounts of vitamin K, as it helps build strong bones for their baby.
  • Nursing mothers need a daily intake of 75 micrograms.
  • People over the age of 70 should aim for at least 120 micrograms a day to compensate for the physical changes that can occur due to aging.
* criptom strives to transmit health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO CASE, the information given can not replace the opinion of a health professional.