5 silent signs of Vitamin K deficiency you should look out for

Just like other vitamins and minerals, our body requires a sufficient amount of vitamin K as well. Vitamin K is an essential fat-soluble nutrient which is important to the bone, heart health and plays a major role in helping the blood clot and brain function. Even after being such an essential mineral for the body, vitamin K isn’t one we hear a lot about. And lack of awareness about it is the reason why up to 31 per cent of the global adults' population has insufficient K vitamin. Here we will tell you why this nutrient is essential for the body and the common signs of Vitamin K deficiency.

There are two main forms of Vitamin K - Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), which comes from plants like spinach and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone), which is naturally produced in the intestinal tract. Our body requires both these kinds of Vitamin K primarily to stop clotting and bleeding.

Vitamin K deficiency in adults is rare but newborn babies are particularly at risk. This is because most of the food we eat is packed with an adequate amount of Vitamin K. However, some drugs and certain health conditions can interfere with Vitamin K absorption and creation. Here are some common signs of Vitamin K deficiency you must look out for.

Vitamin K deficiency makes it difficult for blood to clot, leading to excessive blood loss. This increases the risk of fatality after getting severely injured, causing loss of a dangerous amount of blood. Heavy menstrual period and nose bleeding are some silent signs that you need to take care of our vitamin K level.

Vitamin K is also an important mineral to keep the bones healthy and strong. Some studies linked a sufficient amount of Vitamin K intake with a higher bone mineral density. Deficiency of this nutrient may even lead to osteoporosis. Due to this, you may often experience pain in the joints and the bones.

Those who suffer from Vitamin K deficiency also get bruised easily. Even a small bump can turn into a large bruise that does not heal quickly. The bruising is quite common around the head or face. Some people also get small blood clots underneath their nails.

Inadequate intake of Vitamin K also leads to different gastrointestinal problems. The condition may increase the risks of having gastrointestinal haemorrhage and bleeding, which will increase the chances of blood in the urine and stools. In rare cases, it also leads to bleeding in the mucosal membrane inside the body.

Bleeding gum and dental issues are some other common signs of Vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K2 is responsible for activation of a protein called osteocalcin. This protein carries calcium and minerals to the teeth, deficiency of which prevents this mechanism and makes our teeth weak. The process leads to loss of teeth and excessive bleeding in gums and teeth.