The little Known K vitamin

SPECIAL REPORT

By Dr. Justine Butler, Senior Researcher & Writer, Viva!

The first time most people hear about vitamin K is when they’ve just had a baby. In the UK and many other countries, the government recommends all babies should be given vitamin K soon after birth to prevent internal bleeding. So why is vitamin K important, and where can you get it?

Vitamin K was identified in the early 1930s, when it was shown to be essential for normal blood-clotting. The letter K is derived from the German word koagulation. It is essential for wound healing, because if your blood doesn’t clot when you injure yourself, you could bleed to death.

But vitamin K has another purpose – it is crucial for keeping your bones healthy and strong. Low levels have been associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis and arthritis.

BORN HEALTHY?

Babies are born with low levels of vitamin K, but that amount is usually sufficient to prevent problems. However, some may be at risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding – formerly known as haemorrhagic disease. Although serious, it is a rare condition, occurring in approximately one in every 10,000 babies. Despite this low figure, the Department of Health recommends all babies should be given vitamin K soon after birth, usually by injection, but it can also be given by mouth.