Vitamins, minerals and supplements
Vitamin K
Vitamin K has several important functions. For example, it's needed for blood clotting, which means it helps wounds to heal properly.
There'ssome evidence that vitamin K is also needed to helpkeep bones healthy.
Good sources of vitamin K
Vitamin K is found in:
- green leafy vegetables such as broccoli and spinach
- vegetable oils
- cereal grains
Small amounts can also be found in meat and dairy foods.
How much vitamin K do I need?
Adults need approximately 0.001mga day of vitamin K for each kilogram of their body weight.
For example,someone who weighs 65kg would need 0.065mga day of vitamin K, while a person who weighs 75kg would need 0.075mga day.
You should be able to get all the vitamin K you need by eating a varied and balanced diet.
Any vitamin K your body doesn't need immediately is stored in the liver for future use, so you don't need it in your dietevery day.
What happens if I take too much vitamin K?
There's not enough evidence to know what the effects might be of taking high doses of vitamin K supplements each day.
Whatdoes theDepartment of Health advise?
You should be able to get all the vitamin K you need by eating a varied and balanced diet. If you take vitamin K supplements, don't take too much, because this might be harmful.
Taking 1mg or less of vitamin K supplements a day is unlikely to cause any harm.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 26 Feb 2015
Introduction
Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that your body needs in small amounts to work properly.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is also known as retinol and it has several important functions.
The B vitamins
There are many different types of vitamin B and they all have important functions.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid and has several important functions.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D has several important functions. For example, it helps to regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has several important functions. For example, it acts as an antioxidant, which protects cell membranes.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K has several important functions. For example, it is needed for blood clotting, which means it helps wounds to heal properly.
Calcium
There is more calcium in the body than any other mineral, and it has several important functions.
Iodine
Iodine helps to make the thyroid hormones. These hormones help to keep cells and the metabolic rate healthy.
Iron
Iron is an essential mineral that has several important roles in the body.
Other vitamins and minerals
As well as vitamins and more common minerals such as calcium, iodine and iron a healthy diet includes many other substances.
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