==The benefits of Vitamin K are==
*Vitamin K1—phylloquinone, also known as phytonadione : Vitamin K1 makes up 90% of the vitamin K found in the Western diet. According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin K1 is faster-acting, stronger, and more effective for some conditions than other forms of vitamin K. Consuming leafy green vegetables will provide an ample amount of this life-giving mineral and ensure optimal health.**Vitamin K1 is a necessary and important contributor to bone growth and overall bone health. **Vitamin K1 is best known in its ability to promote blood clotting. In fact, the letter “K” comes from the German term, koagulation. **Vitamin K1 is also an integral mineral for reducing prostate cancer risk. Regarding prostate cancer, it can reduce blood clotting, increase circulation, and in effect, support the healthy flow of urine and blood to the prostate. **Having high levels of Vitamin K1 may also reduce one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease, reduce bruising, strengthen bones, improve skin, and reduce risk of developing heart disease (because it prevents hardening of the arteries).
* vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone, is very different. Vitamin K2 is essential for your cardiovascular health because of its amazing ability to utilize calcium : Calcium belongs in our bones, not in our blood. When our vitamin K2 levels are low, calcium collects in our blood and can lead to calcification in our arteries. Vitamin K is associated with a significantly lower risk of coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. There's also some evidence that K2 may boost bone health and reduce risk of osteoporosis. Preliminary research indicates that vitamin K2 may aid in the treatment of some forms of cancer. For example, in a 2003 test-tube study from the International Journal of Oncology, researchers found that vitamin K2 may help promote the death of lung cancer cells.
*Vitamin K3—menadione synthetic variant : This synthetic form of vitamin K is NOT for human consumption. It offers no benefits and comes with possibly risky side effects. Unfortunately, many vitamin manufacturers offer vitamin K3 as a supplement, so it is advisable to steer clear of these supplements!
*Vitamin K is also beneficial in protecting the bones from fractures and in helping women in their menopausal stage from having unhealthy bones. The link between bone health and vitamin K has been researched extensively. Primary to this is the ability of vitamin K, in its menaquinone form, to impede the formation of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are responsible for removing the minerals in the bone for proper body functioning. While these minerals are important in the body, we do not want too much of the osteoclastic activity as it can result to bone demineralization. Therefore, if vitamin K is increased, there will be less demineralization of bones, less chances of getting fractures.
* vitamin K intake helps prevent diabetes.
* Vitamin K (which is incredibly abundant in green, leafy vegetables) is an integral mineral for reducing prostate cancer risk. Having high levels of potassium (Vitamin K) may also reduce one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease, reduce bruising, strengthen bones, improve skin, and reduce risk of developing heart disease (because it prevents hardening of the arteries). Regarding prostate cancer, it can reduce blood clotting, increase circulation, and in effect, support the healthy flow of urine and blood to the prostate. Consuming leafy green vegetables will provide an ample amount of this life-giving mineral and ensure optimal health.
Males require 120 micrograms of vitamin K, while females only need 90 micrograms daily. The excellent source of vitamin K is boiled kale and boiled spinach, which can provide over 1000 percent of the nutrients daily value per 1 cup of the vegetable.
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