Vitamin K Deficiency: Symptoms, Diseases, and Foods

People who have vitamin K deficiency may find that they wound more efficiently than expected. (Anna Shvets/ Pexels)
People who have vitamin K deficiency may find that they wound more efficiently than expected. (Anna Shvets/ Pexels)

In this article, we will look into vitamin K deficiency, the illnesses related to it, and the food varieties abundant in vitamin K. Vitamin K is a fundamental supplement that plays a critical role in blood coagulation and bone well-being. Numerous health issues can result from a lack of this vital vitamin.

Recognizing the signs and illnesses connected with them and eating a vitamin K-rich diet can help prevent deficits and preserve good health.


Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency

Vitamin K insufficiency can cause a number of disorders or difficulties, the most of which are connected to blood clotting and bone health. (Anna Shvets/Pexels)
Vitamin K insufficiency can cause a number of disorders or difficulties, the most of which are connected to blood clotting and bone health. (Anna Shvets/Pexels)

The main symptom of vitamin K deficiency is excessive bleeding. This bleeding can occur in areas other than the site of a cut or wound. Here are a few normal indications of inadequacy:

Simple swelling: People with a vitamin K deficiency might see that they wound more effectively than expected. Indeed, even minor knocks or wounds can bring about bigger and more apparent injuries.

Draining under the nails: Little blood clumps might frame under the nails, prompting draining or the presence of minuscule red or purple spots.

Inner dying: A lack of vitamin K can result in bleeding in the mucous membranes that line the gums, nose, and gastrointestinal tract, among other parts of the body. Stool may contain blood that appears dark and black, similar to tar, as a result of this bleeding.

Newborn child-related side effects: Vitamin K deficiency at the location where the umbilical cord is removed in infants may indicate a need for more of the vitamin. Different symptoms manifest themselves in the skin, nose, gastrointestinal tract, or even at the site of circumcision. Similar sudden depletion can also happen in the brain, which is exceedingly risky and potentially harmful.


Vitamin K Deficiency Diseases

Vitamin K deficiency can lead to several diseases or complications, primarily related to blood clotting and bone health. Some common diseases that can be caused by a deficiency in vitamin K include Hemorrhagic Disease of the Newborn, which can lead to severe bleeding in infants, and Osteoporosis, a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones.

Additionally, a lack of vitamin K has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders such as coronary artery disease and blood vessel calcification.


Vitamin K Foods

Foods like kale, mustard greens, Swiss chard, and collard greens provide a significant 300% or more of the daily value (DV) per serving. (Anna Guerrero/ Pexels)
Foods like kale, mustard greens, Swiss chard, and collard greens provide a significant 300% or more of the daily value (DV) per serving. (Anna Guerrero/ Pexels)

To guarantee a sufficient intake of vitamin K, eating food varieties rich in this supplement in your diet is significant. Vitamin K is categorized into two groups: Menaquinone, K2, and phylloquinone, K1.

Consuming foods high in vitamin K can significantly help you meet your daily vitamin K requirements.

Food varieties, for example, kale, mustard greens, Swiss chard, and collard greens offer a noteworthy 300% or a greater amount of the day-to-day esteem (DV) per serving. Natto, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, meat liver, and pork slashes are likewise brilliant sources, presenting somewhere in the range of 49% and 443% of the DV per serving.

Different food varieties like chicken, goose liver glue, prunes, and kiwi offer moderate measures of vitamin K, going from 23% to 43% of the DV per serving. By including these nutrient-dense foods in your diet, you can lower your risk of deficiency-related complications and maintain adequate vitamin K levels.


A vitamin K deficiency can have serious consequences for blood clotting and bone health. If you suspect a deficiency or have concerns about your vitamin K levels, please seek the advice of a healthcare expert for the correct diagnosis and treatment.

App download animated image Get the free App now