Vitamin K (phyloquinone) is needed for bone formation and proper blood clotting. Newborn babies are given extra vitamin K after birth. Breast-fed babies need 150 micrograms of vitamin K drops for the first 12 weeks.
Adults taking long-term antibiotics may also develop vitamin K deficiencies, possibly resulting in delayed blood clotting.
In practice, an excess of this vitamin does not occur and has no known harmful effects. People who use blood thinners or anticoagulants should be careful with vitamin K pills containing more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K.
What does vitamin K contain?
Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables, but also in other vegetables, fruit, milk and milk products, meat, eggs and cereals.
Health impacts
Vitamin K (phyloquinone) is needed for proper blood clotting. There is also increasing evidence that this vitamin plays a role in bone formation. It is still unknown whether extra vitamin K can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Vitamin K shortage
Newborn babies may be deficient in vitamin K because they do not get enough of it during pregnancy. This is because:
- Vitamin K cannot reach the unborn child through the placenta. As a result, the child cannot store its supply. The baby does not yet have enough gut bacteria to make enough vitamin K.
- Newborn children are therefore at risk of serious bleeding. They always receive drops of vitamin K after birth.
Adults on long-term antibiotics may also develop vitamin K deficiencies, possibly resulting in delayed blood clotting. Antibiotics can destroy intestinal bacteria, which help to produce vitamin K.
Excessive vitamin K
It is not known whether too much vitamin K is harmful. In practice, an excess of this vitamin does not occur. People who use blood thinners or anticoagulants should be careful with vitamin K pills containing more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K. This can reduce the effect of the anticoagulant.
Recommended daily amounts
The recommended amount of vitamin K for adults over 18 years of age is 70 micrograms per day.
Vitamin K advice for babies
All children receive extra vitamin K shortly after birth. Breastfed babies need 150 micrograms of vitamin K drops for the first 12 weeks. In formula is already sufficient vitamin K. It is recommended to give extra vitamin K when less than 500 milliliters of artificial infant (formula) is given.
