Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and is primarily important for the formation of blood clotting factors. It thus influences blood clotting and also plays a role in bone metabolism. Vitamin K includes a group of compounds that have vitamin K activity. These include the vegetable phylloquinone (vitamin K ₁) and bacterial menaquinone (vitamin K ₂). Animal foods contain a mixture of these two forms of vitamin K.

Vitamin K deficiency can occur in certain diseases. Losses through preparation (cooking) and contact with oxygen are rather low, but it is sensitive to daylight. Foods rich in vitamin K should therefore preferably be stored in the dark.

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Where is vitamin K found?
How Much Vitamin K Do We Need?
Too much / too little vitamin K

Where is vitamin K found?

Green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli and kale contain plenty of vitamin K. Substances that are active in vitamin K are also found in fruit, milk and dairy products, meat, eggs and cereals.

How Much Vitamin K Do We Need?

The exact value required is not known. According to the DA-CH reference values, the estimated value for an adequate intake for adults (25 to <51 years) is 70 µg (men) and 60 µg (women) per day - this value also applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women. A daily intake of 65 µg of vitamin K is recommended for women aged 51 and over;

You can find out more about all age groups or groups of people as well as gender in the DA-CH reference values. For more information, see Covering Your Daily Vitamins.

Too much / too little vitamin K

A hypervitaminosis is not known.
If there is a vitamin K deficiency, blood clotting disorders occur. A vitamin K deficiency is rather rare due to dietary reasons. It is assumed that with a balanced diet, the vitamin K intake is sufficient. Certain diseases of the liver and the gastrointestinal tract can promote the development of a deficiency. A deficiency has also been observed in severe fat digestion disorders and long-term use of certain medications.
Particular attention is paid to the supply of vitamin K to newborns: a prophylactic administration of vitamin K after birth counteracts deficiency bleeding in the intestines, navel area and brain. Further information is available under Mother-Child-Pass: 1.-3. Examination.

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