Vitamin K health benefits | 4 reasons why vitamin K is super important for your diet and body – Know some food sources of the nutrient

New Delhi: Nutrients play a major role in keeping us healthy. Most nutrients are not produced by our bodies themselves but are still required for most body functions. The human body relies on food to provide for these nutrients. This is why a certain amount of daily intake is recommended, and a balanced diet is encouraged, in order to provide the body with all that it needs for healthy functioning. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, people did become more conscious of their health. However, the focus was on immunity-boosting and nutrients that help in the same. Therefore, micronutrients such as vitamin C and D became the most popular, and people started to include foods in their diet that were rich in the vitamins. However, other nutrients, such as vitamin K are also very important for the normal, healthy functioning of the body. Here are 4 reasons why you must add vitamin K to your diet, in order to stay healthy overall.

4 reasons vitamin K should be an important part of your diet

• Reduces risk of fractures – Vitamin K has been associated with bone density and is known to reduce the risk of fractures, especially in post-menopausal women. Women are at the highest risk of osteoporosis, post-menopause. Ensuring they eat the right amount of vitamin K, or compensate for their daily intake with supplements can help reduce the risk of bone fractures.
• Cognitive health – Vitamin K has been associated with cognitive health and memory. Memory tends to fade as people grow older. However, including the right amount of vitamin K in your diet can help reduce the risk of cognitive degenerative disorders.
• Heart health – Heart diseases are a leading cause of death all around the world and have started to affect even young people. As per research, vitamin K helps to control blood pressure, by reducing mineralization. Mineralization occurs with age and is a common cause of heart diseases.
• Blood clotting – Vitamin K is responsible for the production of various proteins that help in forming clots, in case of an injury or bleeding. Prothrombin is a vitamin K-dependent protein directly involved with blood clotting. Osteocalcin is another protein that requires vitamin K to produce healthy bone tissue.

What are some dietary sources of vitamin K?

Vitamin K is present in various foods which can provide for the daily requirement of the nutrient. These include –

• Leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach
• Strawberries
• legumes like soybeans
• eggs
• Meat such as liver 
• Canola oil
• Cheese

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.