4. Signs of Vitamin K Deficiency
Deficiency changes the vitamin-K depended coagulation blood factors.
Because Vitamin K1 plays an important role in clotting, the first sign of deficiency is usually bleeding. Unexplained bruising can also signal that you aren’t getting enough vitamin K1. In extreme cases, internal hemorrhages can occur.
The Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals provides more information on the specifics of deficiency[3]. Even if you don’t check it out, understand that there are potentially deadly results from not having enough vitamin K1.
Future Research
Currently, scientists are researching the potential benefits of Vitamin K3—the type that isn’t normally used in humans—as a cancer treatment.
An article in Anticancer Research showed positive signs that K3 can effectively slow the growth of pancreatic cancer[4]. Further research is still needed.
Overall, there are still many things we don’t know about vitamin K. Most of the studies we surveyed indicated that it’s hard to place a figure on the ideal dietary intake of the vitamin.
Currently, the RDA is 90mcg per day for adults over age 19. The National Library of Medicine includes more information on recommended daily intake.