Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat soluble substance. Chemically Vitamin K is 2-methyl-1, 4-napthoquinone. It plays an important role in blood clotting, Vitamin K is essential cofactor in the hepatic synthesis of prothrombin and other blood clotting factors. Vitamin K is used in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhages and spontaneous bleeding associated with vitamin K deficiency or caused by some anticoaggulants (e.g coumarin). The dietary requirement of vitamin K is low because the vitamin is additionally synthesized by the bacteria that colonize the human intestine. Two natural forms of vitamin K exist: Vitamin K1, also called as phytonadione is found in many foods especially leafy green vegetables such as cabbage and spinach and also present in liver, cow's milk, egg yolk and some cereals; Viatmin K 2, also known as menaquinone is synthesized by intestinal bacteria.