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Vitamin K is a certain group of fat-soluble vitamins which are present in foods. Food loaded with Vitamin K is sold as dietary supplements. For the post-synthesis alteration of some proteins, vitamin K is needed by the human body which helps in the coagulation of blood. Vitamin K is also known as the blood clotting Vitamin. The final alteration of "Gla proteins" is done with the help of the enzyme called gamma-glutamyl carboxylase, which in turn uses vitamin K as a cofactor, to finish the production. Vitamin K deficiency can be identified with the help of uncarboxylated proteins.
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Key Terms: Vitamin K, coagulation, calcification, osteoporosis, quinone ring, Warfarin Therapy
Vitamin K Definition
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Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins that are present in foods and are sold as dietary supplements. The term "vitamin K" refers to a group of chemical compounds that have a quinone ring in common, but vary according to the length and saturation of the carbon.
There are various types of Vitamin K. Vitamin K1, that are found in various plant sources. Vitamin K2 is mostly found in animal products. Vitamin K serves multiple roles. It is served as an essential nutrient that is extracted from food which is further synthesised and sold as a multivitamin. They are also sold as vitamin dietary supplements or prescription drugs.
Vitamin k is massively used in the coagulation of blood, without this coagulation can be severely hampered which will result in uncontrollable bleeding. Shortage of vitamin K can however lead to weak bones, possibly leading to osteoporosis. As a result of osteoporosis, it can lead to calcification of arteries and other soft tissues.
Vitamin K is made up of 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (3-) derivatives chemically. Vitamin K also consists of two natural vitamins: phylloquinone (phylloquinone) and vitamin K12 (menaquinone). Vitamin K2 contains a variety of chemical subtypes of different carbon side chains which contain isoprenoid atom groups. Menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and menaquinone-7 are the two frequently reported (MK-7).
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Vitamin Deficiency
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Vitamin K deficiency is listed as vitamin-responsive incapability of prothrombin, which is the precursor protein to the enzyme thrombin which helps to transform glutamate amino acids to gamma-carboxyglutamate amino acids. Vitamin K's function is to raise prothrombin time which is used in the calculation of blood clotting activity. If the clotting of blood is not done properly due to Vitamin K deficiency then in extreme cases, may lead to either external or internal bleeding.
Read More: Food Deficiency
Vitamin K is usually available in most people's diets which in terms results in less primary impairment in healthy individuals. Infants, on the other hand, are found to be at risk of deficiency in spite of the levels of mothers' vitamin intake. The reason behind this is the inadequate support of vitamins to the placenta. Secondary vitamin K deficiency happens in individuals who consume vitamin K drugs like warfarin on a regular basis. Cefamandole medicine can be used to treat vitamin K deficiency
Read More: Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Uses of Vitamin k
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The use of vitamin k has been stated below:
- Vitamin Deficiency in Newborns
In order to avoid bleeding caused by vitamin K deficiency, they are supplied to newborns in the form of injection.
- Managing Warfarin Therapy
The anticoagulant drug warfarin is used to prevent the clotting of blood. The result of this drug is that it inhibits the enzymes responsible for reforming Vitamin K.
- Treating Rodenticide Poisoning
vitamin K antagonists are used to prevent vitamin K from being regenerated and recycled. A few chemicals that are used are 4-hydroxycoumarin anticoagulants.
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Side Effects
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According to research by the regulatory bodies of Japan, the European Union, and the United States of America there is no uncertainty observed by the high oral intake of Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2. When investigated carefully vitamin K1 has been linked to side effects such as cardiac arrest and bronchospasm. A serious reaction has been observed when polyoxyethylated castor oil is used as an agent used for solubilizing. This reaction is classified as a nonimmune-mediated anaphylactoid reaction.
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Things to Remember
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- Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins.
- Vitamin K is sold as a dietary supplement.
- Vitamin K is used in the clotting of blood.
- Deficiency of vitamin K can be treated with the help of a drug called warfarin.
- The common chemical comp[pound found in vitamin K is quinone ring.
- Cefamandole medicine can be used to treat secondary vitamin K deficiency.
- Deficiency of vitamin K can also lead to osteoporosis which results in the calcification of arteries and other soft tissues.
Sample Questions
Ques. Name some food rich in Vitamin K. (2 Marks)
Ans. Foods rich in Vitamin K are listed below:
- Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
- Fish, meat, liver, cereals, and eggs
- Green leafy vegetables, like spinach, kale, collards, turnip greens, mustard greens, Swiss chard, romaine, parsley, and green leaf lettuce.
Ques. Specify the Forms of Vitamin K. (2 Marks)
Ans. The specific forms of Vitamin K are mentioned below:
- Vitamin K1: Phylloquinone is present in a variety of foods, that includes vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, and milk products.
- Vitamin K2: Menaquinone that is produced by gut bacteria.
- Vitamin K3: Menadione is observed to be a water-soluble synthetic version of K3 which is not used in medicine anymore because of its potential to induce hemolytic anaemia.
Ques. Name two nutrients that protect the body from diseases. (2 Marks)
Ans: The two nutrients that protect the body from diseases are vitamins and minerals. They play a very important role in keeping the body healthy and preventing diseases. Some foods rich in vitamins and minerals are green leafy vegetables, cereals, eggs, etc.
Ques. Name various types of vitamins. (2 Marks)
Ans: The various types of vitamins are listed below:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B-complex
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
Ques. What are nutrients? Name some major nutrients. (2 Marks)
Ans: The components of food which are needed by our body for the growth and development of our body are called nutrients. The major nutrients are:
- Carbohydrates
- Fats
- Proteins
- Vitamins
- Minerals
Ques.What are the functions of minerals? (2 Marks)
Ans: Minerals are the protective part of foods that occur naturally and are needed by our body in a small quantity. Minerals are essential for the proper growth and development of the body and to maintain good health. They do not provide energy. Milk, salt, eggs, and green leafy vegetables are the main sources of minerals.
Ques. What are deficiency diseases? (2 Marks)
Ans: When a person eats a certain type of food continuously for a longer period of time that may not contain a particular nutrient, then this condition is called deficiency of that nutrient, and the particular disease is called deficiency disease. The deficiency of one or a group of nutrients can cause diseases or disorders in our bodies.
Ques. List various types of nutrients and write the functions of each. (2 Marks)
Ans. The various types of nutrients are listed below:
- Carbohydrates: They are mainly energy-giving nutrients.
- Fats: They are energy-giving foods and provide much more energy than carbohydrates if consumed in the same amount.
- Proteins: They are called body-building foods. Proteins help in the formation of body parts. Skin, hair, muscles, enzymes are made up of proteins.
- Vitamins: Vitamins help in protecting our body against disease. They also protect eyes, bones, teeth, and gums.
- Minerals: Minerals are essential for the proper growth of the body and to maintain good health.
Ques. How can the deficiency of Vitamin K be treated? (2 Marks)
Ans: Vitamin K deficiency can be treated with the help of a drug called Warfarin. Vitamin K deficiency can hamper the clotting of blood which leads to internal injuries in severe cases.
Ques. Do all foods contain all the required nutrients? (2 Marks)
Ans: No, all foods do not contain all the nutrients that are required by our body which is why it is essential to eat a balanced diet. A balanced diet is that kind of diet that contains all the essential nutrients like Vitamins, Minerals, Protein, Fat, Roughage, and carbohydrates.
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