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Phylloquinone
Phylloquinone refers to a branch of Vitamin K which is a fat-soluble vitamin
required for the normal clotting of the blood. Vitamin K is found in two forms
in nature: Phylloquinone or Vitamin K1 which is found in plants and Menaquinone
or Vitamin K2 which can be synthesized by many bacteria. A manmade form of Vitamin
K called menadione or Vitamin K3 is also available. Vitamin K is essential in
blood clotting and if it were absent, a small cut would cause continuous bleeding
in the body to the point of death. The process of blood clotting begins automatically
when a tear in a blood vessel is present. When a tear in a blood vessel is present,
a collection of molecules assemble rapidly to form a blood clot. Clotting is
dependent on proteins such as Factor II, Factor VII, Factor IX, and Factor X
that require vitamin K for synthesis in the body. Besides its blood clotting
function, recent medical research has linked Vitamin K with the prevention of
osteoporosis, a disease that weakens the bones. This is important as calcium
was the only known preventative of this disease. Vitamin K is also produced
naturally in the intestines where it assists the conversion of glucose to glycogen
which is then stored in the liver.
Phylloquinone is present in a number of dietary sources that includes: green
leafy vegetables such as spinach; green tea; cabbage; turnip greens; brussels
sprouts; alfafa; eggs; soybean oil; canola oil; olive oil; soybeans; cheddar
cheese; oats; cauliflower; asparagus; coffee; cow milk; and bacon. Vitamin K
is required in only small amounts and little of the vitamins are lost from these
dietary sources with ordinary cooking. In instances of Vitamin K deficiency,
phylloquinone supplements are available. The recommended dosage in newborn infants
that are afflicted with Vitamin K deficiency is a single dose of 5 mg of phylloquinone.
In adults with Vitamin K deficiency, the recommended dosage of phylloquinone
is 10 mg taken orally per week.
Vitamin K deficiency is more common in newborn infants than it is in adults.
In newborns, Vitamin K deficiency is a result of low levels found within the
body. This problem is exacerbated as newborn infants do not have the vitamin
K producing bacteria in their intestines as their digestive tracts are sterile.
Consequently hemorrhagic disease develops as a result of Vitamin K deficiency.
This can cause spontaneous bleeding within the infants and in rare instances
can lead to death caused by spontaneous bleeding in the brain. In adults, Vitamin
K deficiency is usually a result of diseases that prevent the absorption of
fat. Examples of these diseases are cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and cholestasis.
Symptoms of Vitamin K deficiency in adults are bleeding gums and skin that is
easily bruised.
Vitamin K toxicity rarely occurs as a result of dietary intake but rather due
to the use of menadione (Vitamin K3). Vitamin K toxicity can cause flushing,
sweating, the development of jaundice, liver malfunctioning, and the development
of anemia.
The use of phylloquinone supplements should only occur after approval by one’s
doctor. It can lead to a variety of side effects that includes: decreased appetite,
general body swelling, muscle stiffness, flushing of the face, increased sweating,
and dizziness.
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