Without even knowing it, if you follow a healthy and balanced diet – you probably already consume all of the benefits Vitamin K has to offer. However, you might not know the true importance of this vital vitamin and the positives it can provide.
Vitamin K is primarily known for its many health benefits including blood clotting, bone metabolism, and regulation of blood calcium levels. However, this vitamin has SO many other beneficial properties that often get overlooked.
Do you want to improve your skin complexion? Are you looking to improve your joint health and ease the pain? Well, we’re going to cover all you need to know about the benefits of Vitamin K in this post from the Vitamin K benefits for skin and more. If you’re ready to start prioritising this vital vitamin and put your wellbeing first – look no further.
We’ll cover:
Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins that play a vital role in the human body. The body needs Vitamin K to produce prothrombin, a protein that helps with blood clotting and bone metabolism alongside skin and joint health.
Vitamin K can be found throughout the human body including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas and bones. This vitamin is typically broken down quickly and usually leaves in the urine or stool.
The main type of Vitamin K is called phylloquinone (Vitamin K1) and this can be found in green leafy vegetables – collard greens, kale, and spinach. The other type, menaquinones (Vitamin K2), is usually present in animal foods/fermented foods and can also be formed by bacteria in the human gut.
It’s without a doubt that this vitamin plays a vital role in human health, but it can often be overlooked. Although vitamin deficiency isn’t common with Vitamin K, if a deficiency was to occur, it would increase blood clotting time, leading to haemorrhage and excessive bleeding.
If your joints ache more than normal, you’ve experienced multiple skin breakouts, or you’re struggling with wound healing – upping your Vitamin K supplementation may be a solution with advice from a clinical professional.
It’s also worth noting, that people who use blood-thinning medications – Warfarin, or Coumadin, should not start consuming additional Vitamin K without the advice from a GP first.
Your bone and joint health are a priority throughout your life and in your later life. Without optimal joint and bone health, you’ll encounter recurrent fractures, and injuries and your whole well-being will be impacted – physically and mentally.
Every organ and tissue in your body constantly dies off and bone cells are replaced. Vitamin K plays a role in the cell turnover process and aids the cycle of cell growth and replacement. This enables your bones and joints to stay lubricated and more importantly, strong.
Vitamin K naturally improves bone density and decreases the risk of bone fractures, which are very common in later life. That’s why Vitamin K deficiency is usually linked to osteoporosis and a higher risk of fractures.
Your mental health is another vital priority when considering different vitamin levels and their connection to optimal mental health. The absence of some vitamins and minerals in your diet could be linked to varying mental health problems, including depression.
Vitamin K normalises blood glucose, which in turn reduces anxiety and depression. Having optimal levels of Vitamin K in your diet, whilst also following a healthy and balanced lifestyle, will ensure you’re in a strong position for optimal physical and mental health.
If you struggle with depression or experience frequent anxiety, this may be an avenue to explore in further detail with a trained professional.
If you haven’t considered the Vitamin K benefits for the skin, then now is the time. The benefits are powerful, well-researched and should definitely be put in the spotlight. Although other vitamins contribute to a healthy complexion – Vitamin K helps with multiple skin complaints.
Vitamin K is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce the discomforting symptoms that come with eczema and psoriasis. Whether it’s consuming Vitamin K rich foods or applying topical creams that are rich in the vitamin – both can help with the reduction of inflammation in the body.
Vitamin K can offer great assistance when it comes to wound and skin healing. As we’ve already covered, Vitamin K reduces skin inflammation which can help prevent bruising, but it helps with the healing process of the skin too.
Vitamin K helps to make four of the essential 13 proteins needed for blood clotting – this stops wounds from continuously bleeding so they can heal effectively. Vitamin K helps solidify and thicken blood from a wound – helping it to harden into a scab. Without the help of Vitamin K, healthy blood clotting would not occur during injury.
Not all blood clots are bad. Blood clotting is essential when you get a cut, scrape or bruise. Vitamin K helps blood to coagulate, or clot, to stop the bleeding – leading to optimal wound healing and recovery.
Another benefit of Vitamin K is helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Although skin ageing cannot be eliminated and environmental factors can contribute – Vitamin K can provide multiple benefits.
Wrinkles and fine lines occur when the human body produces less collagen and elastin. The production of collagen and elastin in the human body is crucial for maintaining the skin’s elasticity. This elasticity prevents and prolongs the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines.
This is where Vitamin K comes in. Vitamin K helps protect the collagen production in the body – healing skin and reducing inflammation as we’ve already covered. When you have healthy collagen production, your skin will likely appear more plump, smooth and youthful.
Vitamin K is an important vitamin that helps the body form clots and stops bleeding. It is found in leafy green vegetables, liver, and some other foods.
Vitamin K is also available as a supplement. People who have a low level of vitamin K may be at risk for bleeding problems.
The main source of vitamin K is leafy green vegetables. It is also found in some fruits, nuts, and dairy products.
Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and helps to keep bones healthy. It is also thought to play a role in cancer prevention. Some people take vitamin K supplements to make sure they are getting enough of this nutrient.
Fruits that are high in vitamin K include spinach, broccoli, and kiwi. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health. It is also a powerful antioxidant that can help protect cells from damage.
Vitamin K is found in many different foods, but these fruits are some of the best sources.
A vitamin K deficiency can lead to uncontrolled bleeding and haemorrhaging. This occurs because the vitamin is essential for the clotting of blood. Without it, the body cannot form clots to stop the bleeding. This can be a serious problem, especially if it occurs internally.
Symptoms of a vitamin K deficiency include excessive menstrual bleeding, nosebleeds, and bleeding gums.
There are many different vitamins and minerals that are essential for human health, and vitamin K is one of them. Vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health, and some people choose to supplement with it in order to ensure they are getting enough.
However, there is no evidence that vitamin K supplementation is necessary for most people, and it can actually be harmful in high doses. In general, it is best to get your nutrients from food sources whenever possible.
If you are concerned that you are not getting enough vitamin K, talk to your doctor about ways to increase your intake.
There are many different ways to keep your heart healthy and strong. While some people may choose to take supplements or medication, others may prefer to stick to a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Here are five supplements (and foods) that can help to support a healthy heart:
Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are important for heart health, as they help to keep the heart functioning smoothly. You can find omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils, nuts, and seeds.
Coenzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that is essential for energy production in the body. It is also beneficial for heart health, as it helps to protect the heart from damage caused by free radicals. Coenzyme Q10 can be found in meat, poultry, and fish.
Magnesium: Magnesium is a mineral that is important for muscle relaxation and contraction. It is also necessary for heart health, as it helps to keep the blood pressure regulated. Magnesium can be found in leafy green vegetables, nuts, and seeds.
Potassium: Potassium is an important mineral for maintaining blood pressure levels and preventing hypertension. It can be found in fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, potatoes, and apricots.
Boron: Boron is a mineral that has been shown to improve heart health by reducing inflammation and improving blood lipid levels. It can be found in nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruits like apples and grapes.
After reading this, we hope you understand the role Vitamin K plays in the human body and how vital it is for overall wellbeing. Although there are many Vitamin K benefits for the skin – it’s a vitamin that contributes to your entire body.
Your well-being is important during every stage and season of your life. If you’re feeling a little under the weather or you’re ready to kickstart your wellness in 2022, you’re in the right place. At Heed Life, we aim to support great people at every stage of their wellness journey.
Other than the vital vitamins and minerals you should be consuming, there are many other ways you can start prioritising your wellbeing. But don’t worry, we’ve compiled a list of them together in our FREE downloadable Ebook. Download your copy TODAY!