VITAMINS A, D, E, & K.

Vitamins are organic substances

in food, that are needed in very
small amounts for growth and for
maintaining good health. There are
vitamins that dissolve in water, and
4 vitamins that dissolve in fat:
A, D, E, & K

The 4 fat soluble vitamins are absorbed

by fat globules, allowing them to travel
through the intestinal walls and into the
bloodstream. Largest amounts of fat-
soluble vitamins are found in fatty
foods and fish-liver oils.
 Absorption of fat-soluble Fat malabsorption
vitamins takes place in the syndromes or bowel
small intestine and diseases (e.g., cystic
depends on the presence fibrosis, ulcerative
of bile and pancreatic colitis, cholestatic
juices. Excess vitamins liver disease,
are stored in the liver and Crohn's disease) are
adipose (fatty) tissues of associated with poor
the body. Fat-soluble absorption of these
vitamins are generally vitamins.
excreted more slowly than
water-soluble vitamins.

Fat-soluble vitamins are not destroyed by normal

cooking methods. They are stable to heat and
light. They are destroyed by alkalis, such as
baking soda. Some cooks add small amounts of
baking soda when cooking vegetables to mellow
harsh flavors and brighten colors.
 Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. The "K" is derived
from the German word "koagulation." Coagulation
refers to the process of blood clot formation.

Vitamin K is essential for the

functioning of several
proteins involved in blood
clotting.
When an injury occurs, the
protein molecules (with
names like Factor II or
prothrombin, Factor VII,
Factor IX, and Factor X)
rapidly assemble and form
the blood clot.
The term thrombus or thrombosis refers to a blood clot.
 Life Stage Age Males Females
mcg/day mcg/day
Adolescents 14-18 yrs 75 75
Adult 19 years 120 90
and older

1 cup dark green or green leafy vegetables per day would provide an
adequate supply of vitamin K.
Food Serving Vitamin K (mcg)

Olive oil 1Tbsp 8.1

Soybean oil 1 Tbsp 25.0
Canola oil 1 Tbsp 16.6
Broccoli, cooked 1 cup, chopped 220
Spinach, raw 1 cup 145
Parsley ¼ cup 246
Leaf lettuce, raw 1 cup, shredded 62.5
 The best dietary sources of
vitamin K are green leafy
vegetables such as spinach,
broccoli, Brussels sprouts,
cabbage and lettuce. Other rich
sources are certain vegetable oils.
Good sources include oats,
potatoes, tomatoes, asparagus
and butter. Lower levels are found
in beef, pork, ham, milk, carrots,
corn, most fruits and many other
vegetables.

A portion of the body's vitamin K

is produced by bacteria living in
the jejunum and ileum of the
intestine rather than by dietary
sources.
Although allergic reaction is possible, there is
no known toxicity associated with high doses
of the dietary (K1) or intestinally-produced
Vitamin K (K2).
You can overdose on
synthetic Vitamin K (K3).
Large doses of this form
break down red blood cells
and can lead to a jaundice
condition and possibly even
brain damage when given to
infants or pregnant women.
Vitamin K deficiencies are rare for two reasons... 1. part of the body’s
needs of this vitamin are produced in the intestinal tract 2. Vitamin K
is “conserved” in the body. That means it is recycled… it can be used
over and over. The process is called the Vitamin K cycle.

Easy bruising
associated with
Vitamin K
deficiency.

Adults at risk of vitamin K deficiency include those taking vitamin K

anticoagulant drugs (warfarin, coumadin, heparin) that may be
prescribed for blood clots in the legs and lungs. Individuals with
significant liver damage or disease, and individuals with disorders of
fat malabsorption may also be at increased risk of vitamin K
deficiency. Large doses of vitamin A and vitamin E have been found to
counteract the function of vitamin K and interfere with Vitamin K
absorption. Long-term use of antibiotics may destroy the bacteria in
the intestine that produce Vitamin K.

Spontaneous subcutaneous hemorrhages in a
chick fed a vitamin K deficient diet for 15 days.
The bottom chick was fed an adequate diet and
is the same age.
Symptoms of a Vitamin K
deficiency include easy
bruising and bleeding that may
be manifested as nosebleeds,
bleeding gums, blood in the
urine, blood in the stool, tarry
black stools, or extremely
heavy menstrual bleeding.
Vitamin K deficiency
frequently occurs in newborn
infants. Many babies in the U.S.
get an injection of vitamin K at
birth to avoid hemorrhagic
disease, which is characterized
by uncontrolled bleeding within
the skull. Babies depend on
this long-lasting injection until
vitamin K-producing bacteria
become established in their
digestive tracts.
 Excessive intake of vitamin K rarely
occurs. Excess doses, those greater
than 1000 times the requirement, can
promote thrombogenesis (formation of
blood clots) and hemolysis (red blood
cells are destroyed faster than bone
marrow can produce new ones). These
doses of vitamin K can also increase
risk of jaundice.
Unless medically prescribed, Vitamin K
should be consumed only from food
sources to prevent toxic levels.
Blood clot pictures:
Top: Swelling and discoloration of the leg are signs of deep vein
thrombosis, also known as a blood clot.
Bottom: A blood clot that travels to the lungs is called pulmonary embolism,
and can be fatal without emergency treatment.