Vitamin+K


 * __Vitamin K__**

​ Chemical name - 2-methyl-3-phytyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone
 * Structural Diagram of Vitamin K1**

Chemical name- 2-methly-3-all-trans-polyprenyl-1,4 -naphthoquinones
 * Structural Diagram of Vitamin K2**

Vitamin K comes in many various ways. This vitamin is produced in the humans stomache and also could be produced in the intestines. Vitamin K can be found in nature in two different forms, Vitamin K1 which is also called,phylloquinone, is found in green leafy plants such as cabbage, cauliflower,spinach, soybeans,brocoli and many other healthy green vegetables. Vitamin K2 is also called, menaquinone, is synthesized by bacteria. Vitamin K3 which is also called, menadione, is a manmade form of this vitamin. Vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 are the most important vitamins out of the three because it plays a big role in our body.
 * Where does Vitamin K come from?**

This vitamin helps us in many ways. Vitamin K1 helps with our blood clotting. A blood clotting process begins when you get an injury that produces a tear in the blood vessel. This type of vitamin is also given to patients who undergo surgery to prevent the excessive bleeding which can save lives. This is not the only thing this vitamin can do. It can improve bones and reduce the risk of bone fractures. This vitamin particularly helps women who are at risk for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disorder which makes bones more easy to fracture due to calcium lost, but vitamin K1 can help strengthen these bones. One last important thing that vitamin K1 does for you is that it reduces the risk of bleeding in liver disease, jaundice, malabsorption.
 * How Vitamin K1 benefit our society and us?**

Vitamin K2 helps putting calcium where it belongs. It provides major protection for cardiovascular blockages and pathological calcification. It also cleans calcium deposits from your arteries and deposits it in your bones. This vitamin has also been medically proven to provide great benefits for bone health and cardiovascular health. Some studies show that it may help your joints and intestinal health. This vitamin has also been reported to decrease serum cholesterol and cholesterol deposits in the aorta, contributing to the suppression of atherosclerosis.
 * How Vitamin K2 benefits our society and us?**

Although defficiency of this vitamin is rare, it can still happen. Defficiency only occurs when the body cant properly absorb this vitamin from the intestinal tract. Defficiency of vitamin K for newborns can be quite devastating. It could leave the newborn with hemorrhagic disease. Shortage of vitamin K could include nosebleeds,internal hemorrhaging,and you will bruise more easily. You must also be careful when pregnant and not taking in enough vitamin K, it can be toxic for the baby in last stage pregnancy. Pregnant women should also be very aware of the amount of vitamin K they take, here is a list of what can happen due to deficiency of vitamin K.
 * How Vitamin K can harm us**
 * -Cardiac dysfunction
 * -Craniofacial abnormalities
 * -Flat nasal bridge
 * -Growth disorders
 * -Learning disorders
 * -Microcephaly
 * -Neural tube defects

-** Deficiency of this vitamin could be a contributing factor of alzheimer's disease - Produces strong bones when old - Some people say it can promote longetivity - High intake of this vitamin can produce anti cancer effects
 * Interesting points


 * Recommended dietary intake for vitamin K**
 * 0 - 6 months: 2.0 micrograms per day (mcg/day)
 * 7 - 12 months: 2.5 mcg/day


 * 1 - 3 years: 30 mcg/day
 * 4 - 8 years: 55 mcg/day
 * 9 - 13 years: 60 mcg/day

>> >> >> >> **Bibliography >> >> >> [] >> >> [] >> >> [] >> >> [] >> >> [] >> >> >> >> BY TONYLAM >> BLOCK E**
 * Males and females age 14 - 18: 75 mcg/day
 * Males and females age 19 and older: 90 mcg/day