Vitamin K Helps In Wound Healing: Know Other Benefits, Foods Rich In It

Our bodies love balance. A balance between work and leisure, exercise and rest, and between nutrients. For good health and fighting off diseases, a balanced diet is recommended, a diet that contains all macro and micronutrients. Foods must also contain the requisite vitamins and minerals. The former is taken as an umbrella term, however, it contains various categories. For example, vitamin A is good for the eyes, B12 keeps blood healthy, C keeps the immune system strong. Similarly, vitamin D is good for the bones. There are several types of vitamins, one of which is vitamin K. It helps wounds to heal. There are other benefits too of vitamin K. To know about them and foods rich in it, Onlymyhealth spoke to Sreemathy Venkatraman, a gut health practitioner & wellness nutritionist and the founder of ‘Mitha Aahara-Eat to Live’.

Benefits Of Vitamin K

“Vitamin K is a group of soluble proteins,” said Sreemathy, that the body needs for the following:

• Blood clotting
• Wound healing
• Help in building bones
• Regulating blood calcium levels

Specifically, vitamin K produces a protein called prothrombin, which helps with blood clotting and bone metabolism.

Also read: What Is Excessive Blood Clotting Disorder? Here Are Its Causes, Signs, Diagnosis And Treatment

Signs Of Vitamin K Deficiency

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As you saw, vitamin K is vital for several bodily functions. Hence, you must get it enough from your diet. In case your body runs deficient in this vital nutrient, it will exhibit the following symptoms:

• You bleed from your nose or in your gastrointestinal tract
• You get bruised easily
• Wounds take a long time to heal
• Blood in stools
• Sudden bleeding in the brain
• Poor bone development
• Weak bones
• Osteoporosis

If you experience any of these, you must consult your doctor. Accordingly, enhance your intake of vitamin K via foods or supplements, as per the doctor’s recommendation.

Also read: Here Are 10 Natural Remedies To Heal Minor Wounds

Foods Rich In Vitamin K

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“Vitamin K deficiency is rare,” said Sreemathy. Whether deficient or not, you must consume the requisite amount of vitamin K to keep your body healthy. Gladly, nature has endowed us with enough sources for our vitamin K intake. Here are some of the foods you can have:

• Green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, kale, etc
• Brussel’s sprouts
• Fermented soybean
• Fortified cereals
• Prunes

Other Facts On Vitamin K

Now you know that this vitamin plays such a central role in blood clotting, wound healing, and bone metabolism. However, these aren’t its only functions. Here are some other benefits of vitamin K:

• High vitamin K levels have been associated with improved episodic memory in older adults, the nutritionist said.
• It helps lower blood pressure levels.
• Vitamin K also reduces the risk of a stroke.

Just like any other nutrient, vitamin K is crucial for your body. Hence, you must get it from natural sources. Leafy greens and Brussel’s sprouts are good sources of vitamin K. If you experience any vitamin K deficiency-related symptoms, then you must get yourself checked. The doctor will recommend you an appropriate diet or supplements to boost your vitamin K levels.

(With inputs from Sreemathy Venkatraman, a gut health practitioner & wellness nutritionist and the founder of ‘Mitha Aahara-Eat to Live’)

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