Vitamin K is required by the body for blood clotting.This vitamin  in the diet has to be regulated by certain people. Find out more about that, along with which are the foods that are high in it.

There is some research which suggests that Vitamn K2 can reduce the incidence of advanced prostrate cancer by over 50%  which suggests that a  prostate cancer diet which includes Vitamin K alongside other nutrients such as lycopen and garlic may have a strong beneficial effect in the fight against cancer.

Itis required for proper blood clotting and bone formation, both of which are brought about by vitamin K helping in transporting calcium in the body. Doctors usually prescribe vitamin K to treat an overdose of the anticoagulant drug, warfarin, and also as a preventive measure against excessive bleeding in patients on warfarin who need to undergo surgery. The letter ‘K’ stands for ‘koagulering’, the Danish word for ‘clotting’, since it was a Danish scientist, Dr Henrik Dam, who discovered vitamin K.

What are the different types of vitamin K?

The intestines can produce it, a function that can be enhanced by cultured milk, such as yogurt, being included in the diet.

There are two types  that occur naturally: K1, which is also known as phylloquinone, occurs in plants; K2, also known as menaquinone, is synthesized by bacteria in the intestines. And then there is vitamin K3, also known as menadione, a synthetic type of this vitamin, which is produced by pharmaceutical companies.

Itis categorized as a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it is absorbed by the body and is deposited in fat tissues, thus reducing the requirement of ingesting it in large quantities. This can lead to two possibilities: Firstly, that taking too much of vitamin K may result in toxicity, and secondly, the symptoms of a deficiency of vitamin K may take years to manifest itself.

What is the recommended dietary allowance ?

The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA,  is 80 micrograms (mcg) per day for men and 65 mcg for women. While some of this is produced by the microbes in the intestines, most of it is ingested in the food we eat. While, care must be taken to be aware that this recommended dosage is just the minimum that is required each day in order to avoid deficiency in this nutrient, however, neither should it be consumed in excess of the recommended amounts – except under stringent medical supervision – due to the potential of high toxicity levels developing since it is a fat-soluble vitamin.

What are the symptoms of a deficiency?

In adults, a deficiency of vitamin K can manifest itself in internal hemorrhaging and nosebleeds.

In newborn babies, its deficiency causes hemorrhagic disease, hematuria and postoperative bleeding. It can also result in inter-cranial hemorrhages and muscle hematomas.

What are the symptoms of excessive intake and toxicity?

In otherwise healthy people toxicity rarely occurs due to the dietary ingestion of vitamin K, although it can take place if vitamin K3, the synthetic form of the vitamin, is taken. Excessive intake and toxicity of vitamin K can result in sweating and flushing. Anemia and jaundice may also occur.

People who are on medication for the prevention of blood clotting need to consult their doctors before taking a supplement of this vitamin.

What are the various effects  in the diet?

As has been mentioned above, vitamin K is utilized by the body for controlling blood clotting. It is essential for the creation of the liver protein, prothrombin, which precedes the formation of thrombin, which in turn is a vitally important factor in the clotting of blood.

Also, since it is associated with the formation and repair of bone, it is thought to alleviate the severity or incidence of osteoporosis as well as slow loss of bone.

It also helps in converting glucose into glycogen in the intestines, which is then stored in the liver.

Why is vitamin K in the diet important for people on warfarin?

There are several medical conditions wherein excessive clotting in the body needs to be prevented. Blood clots in the arteries, veins and heart can cause phlebitis, strokes and heart attacks. Warfarin, a blood thinner, is one of the drugs that is used for preventing clots forming in such patients. Warfarin does this by interfering with prothrombin being produced in the liver. Every patient prescribed warfarin has to undergo a blood test known as prothrombin time, or P.T., or pro time, in order to determine the correct dosage of warfarin. An excessive dosage of warfarin results in bleeding, while a dosage that is too low does not prevent the clotting.

So, the reason why vitamin K in the diet is important for people on warfarin is that if too much of it is consumed, it can interfere with the effects of warfarin, resulting in blood clots forming.

However, people on anticoagulant medications need not avoid foods that contain vitamin K altogether. Rather, they need to keep the consumption more or less consistent, instead of ingesting a lot of it one day and too little the next. This will help in allowing the anti-clotting drug to work, controlling the formation of blood clots. It can be helpful to keep a food diary to monitor the potential interaction between the medication and the diet. In case the P.T. gets too low, the doctor will be able to consult the food diary to determine if too much of foods containing vitamin K has been eaten.

What foods are high in it?

Green leafy vegetables are the highest source of vitamin K. Some of these are celery, spinach, Swiss chard, kale, collard greens, watercress, Brussels sprouts, scallion, endive, broccoli, lettuce, turnip greens, cabbage, mustard greens, spring onions, and asparagus. Vitamin K is also found in cheese, liver, bacon, coffee, and green tea.

By Rita Putatunda

Below are some places to go to find out some interesting facts about prostate cancer and nutrition

Serum Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin As Biomarker Of Vitamin K

From cell studies, Vitamin K is known to exert anticancer effects on a variety of cancer cell lines, including  cells.

Vitamin K2 Cuts Prostate Cancer Risk – The Anti-Aging Bottom Line

Men with the highest intake of vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone, had only about one-third the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer compared to men with low intake of the vitamin

Broccoli Benefits And Ingredients

Lots of Vitamin A – Vitamin B1, thiamin – Vitamin B2, Riboflavin – Vitamin B3, Niacin – Vitamin B5, Pantothenic Acid – Vitamin B6, pyridoxine – Lots of Vitamin C – Vitamin E – Lots of Vitamin K – Folate – Dietary Fiber – Manganese – Tryptophan … With the help of broccoli vegetables we can get these kind of healthy benefits for our bodies: – protects from cancers.

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Little Known Facts About Vitamin Supplements

The best way to get enough Vitamin A is through the foods you eat. This important vitamin can be found naturally in eggs, whole milk, liver, and in fruits and vegetables that are brightly colored. Vitamin A is absolutely essential because when it is not received by the body in adequate proportions, it can lead to immunity problems and infections. Luckily, this is rather uncommon in developed countries, and usually is only problematic with those who are on strict diets or maintain a high alcohol intake.

Vitamin B is actually a group of four vitamins, vitamin B-1 also called thiamine, vitamin B-2 also called riboflavin, vitamin B-6 also called pyridoxine, and vitamin B-12 also called cobalamin. Together, these four vitamins make the B vitamin group. Most individuals in developed countries get plenty of B vitamins; however vegetarians sometimes have a deficiency due to their being found primarily in animals. Some medications also affect the way B vitamins are absorbed into the body and can cause a deficiency. A vitamin B deficiency is usually characterized by skin rashes, nerve problems, and anemia. Although a B vitamin overdose is almost unheard of, when it does occur symptoms include severe burning of any part of the body, itching, or numbness. As with all supplements, it is best to take vitamin B only as recommended.

Ascorbic Acid, which is another name for Vitamin C, is essential for helping the body absorb iron. When too much Vitamin C is taken, it can cause diarrhea and stomach pain. This is important to keep in mind when someone suggests taking a Vitamin C overload to help cure a cold! Vitamin C is has been commonly associated with the immune system. What most people do not realize, however, is that there is a whole host of  potential problems that can come from a deficiency of Vitamin C . Lesser known problems stemming from a lack of Vitamin C include nosebleeds, general weakness and lassitude, swollen gums, and scurvy. Vitamin C is found naturally in most fruits and vegetables, and is found in larger portions in raspberries, cantaloupe, broccoli, strawberries, and cabbage. Surprisingly, Vitamin C can also be found in liver. When taken in the form of supplements, Vitamin C is best consumed in liquid form, as the pill form is not always absorbed properly by the body.

There are actually two different forms of vitamin D. There is one form that is found in vegetables, and another form found in animals. The form of Vitamin D found in vegetables is called ergocalciferol, while the alternative form is called cholecalciferol. This is the form that is metabolized by the body whenever we expose it to sunlight. Vitamin D is an essential hormone in the body, and deficiencies are usually found in people who have milk allergies, lactose intolerance, or those who are strict vegetarians. When not enough Vitamin D is taken into the body, it can cause rickets and osteomalacia, which are both diseases that affect the bone structure. When too much Vitamin D is consumed, however, it can cause an over absorption of calcium. This can result in calcification, urinary stones, and problems with the central nervous system. Problems with the central muscle system can show up as well. Vitamin D should be taken only as recommended by your doctor.

Vitamin E is found in wheat germ, spinach, olives, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens. Eating foods that are rich in Vitamin E can help to prevent prostate cancer and Alzheimer’s disease , as well as helping to guard against the UV rays of the sun. Although it is exceptionally rare for people to develop a Vitamin E deficiency, it’s still important to make sure that the recommended daily dose is taken. A Vitamin E deficiency has been known to cause severe problems with the nervous system. Too much Vitamin E can cause fatigue, weakness, flu-like symptoms, abdominal pain, internal bleeding, and headaches. These symptoms will increase in severity if the overdose is continued over a period of time.

By: John Foley   Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Article Written By J. Foley Go Here Now For The Best Deal On Vitamin Supplements – Buy 2, Get 3 Free!

Here are some more sources of information about vitamins for a prostate cancer diet

Liquid Vitamin Supplements  Find the Best and Most Popular
Most people do not realise that the body can absorb the nutrients from liquid vitamin supplements easier than from tablets.

Stanley Ling Daily Tips: Vitamin E As A Supplement
Vitamin E is not very toxic so, fortunately, you see very few cases of overdosing with Vitamin E from the foods you eat. However, if you were taking Vitamin E supplements and took more than 3000 IU, you could cause toxicity.

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