Vitamin K: The Clotting Commander

Have You Ever Wondered..

Why doesn’t a small scrape bleed forever?

How does a vitamin tell your bones to get stronger?

Why do doctors give a Vitamin K shot to every single newborn baby?

Vitamin K’s primary mission is to activate the proteins responsible for blood coagulation.

The “K” Origin: It was named after the German word Koagulation because of its role in blood clotting.

Chemical Catalyst: It acts as a “coenzyme,” meaning it plugs into proteins to turn them on so they can bind to calcium.

The Clotting Factor: Without Vitamin K, your blood wouldn’t be able to thicken into a “plug” to stop bleeding after an injury.
Natural Sources: You can find Vitamin K1 in leafy greens like spinach and kale, which the liver uses to manage clotting.

Beyond stopping bleeds, Vitamin K is a secret weapon for bone density and a product of our own biology.

Bone Density: Vitamin K helps a protein called osteocalcin bind to calcium, which literally “glues” minerals into your bone matrix.

The Gut Connection: While we eat K1 in veggies, “good” bacteria in our intestines create Vitamin K2, which helps keep calcium in our bones and out of our arteries.

Stored Energy: Since it is a fat-soluble vitamin, your body stores it in the liver and fatty tissues for when you need it most.
Balanced Health: High levels of Vitamin K ensure that calcium goes to your skeleton.

Here are some interesting facts about Vitamin K:

Babies are born with very little Vitamin K, which is why they get a “protection shot” immediately after birth to prevent dangerous bleeding.
Taking strong antibiotics for a long time can lower your Vitamin K levels because they accidentally kill the “good” bacteria that make it.
Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli are Vitamin K superstars.
One cup of cooked spinach provides over 700% of the daily recommended value for Vitamin K.

Let’s quickly recap what we learned about Vitamin K:

In which part of the body do “good” bacteria produce Vitamin K2? Intestines
What mineral does Vitamin K help “glue” into our bones to make them strong? Calcium
What does the “K” stand for in the original German research for this vitamin? Koagulation
Where is Vitamin K stored in the liver and fatty tissues? Liver and Fatty Tissues