Plus, tasty recipes for getting your fill of this helpful nutrient.
When you think ofvitamin C, maybe an orange comes to mind.
Or a banana might pop into your head when you think ofpotassium.
But with vitamin K, you might be drawing a blank.
This nutrient might fly under the radar, but it is responsible for some crucial bodily functions.
Lucky for us, our body utilizes vitamin K whether we are familiar with it or not.
What Is Vitamin K?
Vitamin Kis a fat-soluble vitamin that is crucial for bodily function.
It comes in two forms: vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone).
Vitamin K1 is primarily found in plant foods, whereas vitamin K2 is more common in animal foods.
Vitamin K is a nutrient that our body needs to stay healthy and functioning at its best.
The daily recommended intake for vitamin K is 120 micrograms for men and 90 mcg for women.
One cup of raw spinach alone delivers 145 mcg of vitamin K!
And to clear up any confusion: Vitamin K and potassium aren’t the same thing.
However, potassium is completely different and a mineral, not a vitamin.
It does have its own set ofimpressive health benefits, though!
Foods like dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, in particular, pack an impressive amount of the nutrient.
Osteocalcin is found in bones and is important for helping bones stay strong over time.
This is likely due to the role it plays inimproving bone mineral density.
This could be related to vitamin K’s involvement in the compoundmatrix Gla protein (MGP).
MGP helps prevent calcification or hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart disease.
Not to mention, many high-vitamin-K foods like dark leafy greens are also the cornerstone of abrain-healthy diet.
What about a Vitamin K Supplement?
Here’s the deal: Vitamin K is needed for properblood clotting.
Blood clotting is important because it stops bleeding and allows the body to start healing.
Without adequate vitamin K, a simple cut can become more dangerous.
That being said, vitamin K deficiency is very rare, so you don’t really need to worry.
Aim to include a serving or two of vitamin K-rich food at most meals and you should be fine.
