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Vitamin K helps the liver create a protein called prothrombin which is necessary for proper blood clotting. Overall, the main effect of vitamin K is that it shortens what is known as the prothombin time. This is the very reason it is important to check with your doctor before taking vitamin K supplements. In fact, in some cases even eating a diet high in vitamin K foods is to be avoided because vitamin K can interfere with some medications such as Coumadin. In these cases your health care provider will provide dietary guidelines right for your medical history.

A healthy body can absorb adequate amounts of vitamin K through a well balanced diet. You'll see from the following food list sample that vitamin K is found in a number of vegetables, some grains and a few animal products.

Vegetables:

• Alfalfa
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Lettuce
• Soy beans
• Spinach
• String beans
• Tomatoes

Grains:

• Oats
• Wheat

Meat:

• Lean meat
• Pork liver

Vitamin K2 capsules.

People who have certain medical conditions or who have taken broad spectrum antibiotics or who are on an aspirin regiment will often be deficient in vitamin K and can benefit from taking vitamin K. For example, people who suffer from heart disease may be told to take vitamin K supplements along with their daily dose of aspirin. Other chronic conditions that may warrant taking vitamin K supplements include:

• Osteoporosis
• Chron's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Celiac disease
• Any condition that interferes with absorption of nutrients due to liver disease

If you suffer from any of these conditions, it is important to talk with your health care provider about your specific medical history to make sure vitamin K is right for you.

While vitamin K supplementation is necessary for most people who suffer with the conditions listed above, there are some people who should avoid taking supplements in amounts above the RDA of 65 mcg unless directed by a doctor to do so. This includes women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Others who should not take vitamin K without a doctor's recommendation and monitoring are people who have experienced one of the following:

• Cardiac arrest
• Stroke
• People prone to blood clotting

Too much vitamin K for people on blood thinners such as Coumadin can interfere with the action of these drugs. In the case of Coumadin it may lower prothombin time which will make the blood more likely to clot. While taking a supplement should be avoided, it isn't usually necessary to eliminate foods containing vitamin K from your diet completely while taking these medications. Talk it over with your doctor. Usually foods containing vitamin K are fine as long as your keep your intake fairly consistent. It may even be beneficial to keep a record of what you eat in a food journal. This data can be helpful in monitoring interaction between your medications and diet.

If you decide to supplement your vitamin K, be aware of the RDA for your gender and age group. Recommendations are as follows:

• Birth – 6 months: 2 mcg
• 7-12 months: 2.5 mcg
• 1-3 years: 30 mcg
• 4-8 years: 55 mcg
• 9-13 years: 60 mcg
• 14-18 years: 75 mcg

• Males: 19-years-old and older: 120 mcg
• Females: 19-years-old and older: 90 mcg
• Pregnant and breastfeeding females: 19-years-old and above: 90 mcg

Most people can get enough vitamin K through diet. Before taking this vitamin in supplement form it is best to talk with your doctor about dosage and to be sure that a vitamin K supplement is safe for you.