Introduction
Vitamin K is one of the many essential vitamins. It occurs naturally in two different forms – as K1 and K2. While vitamin K1 is found in all green plants, vitamin K2 is produced by bacteria.
The bacteria of our intestinal flora can also partially form the vitamin and thus supply the body with it. One more reason to maintain a healthy intestinal flora. To a certain extent, the slightly less active vitamin K1 can be converted into the K2 form.
Vitamin K takes up important functions in the human body. As a prerequisite for the formation of certain coagulation factors, it plays an important role in blood coagulation. Vitamin K is also an influencing factor in the calcium balance: it promotes bone formation and prevents excessive calcification of blood vessels.
As a result, thromboses, heart attacks and strokes occur less frequently. A protective effect in the development of cancer has also already been established. A healthy diet with the conscious intake of foods containing vitamin K protects health in many ways and can be made easier by many small tips. If the diet is not sufficient or the food cannot be consumed in sufficient quantity for health reasons, dietary supplements can be used.
Dosage
The daily requirement of vitamin K or K2 is different for men and women. The male need is 80 μg (micrograms), while women only need 65 μg. The reference range – the range in which the vitamin K value should lie in a blood test – is not only very variable at 0.15 to 1.5 μg per liter of blood, but also depends heavily on the last food intake.
Since newborn babies initially have insufficient vitamin K stores, all babies are given vitamin K during their first three routine tests (U1-3). This is done by mouth with a dosage of 2 mg per examination. For adults, different dosages apply if vitamin K is to be taken additionally in drop or pill form.
The exact amount should always be discussed with the treating (family) doctor. However, there are certain guidelines that are usually followed. Patients, who already take blood-thinning medicines, should take only 45 μg Vitamin K2 on the day to itself.
Healthy humans, who did not reach the 50th year of life yet and daily no more than 2500 units Vitamin D take, can increase the dosage up to 100 μg. If there is a family history of vascular disease or bone loss (osteoporosis), or if the patient is already suffering from the early stages of the diseases mentioned, the dose can be doubled again to 200 μg. An overdose is not possible in adults, but it is possible in newborns – jaundice may occur.
