Do You Need Vitamin K Supplements?

Mind is All

Are you wondering if vitamin K supplements will help you? Vitamin K creams and vitamin K supplements have gained popularity in some circles, but you need a doctor's advice before you try these out.

Vitamin K is essential for normal growth and development. Vitamin K also facilitates blood clotting. However, most Americans eat enough vitamin K each day that they don't need supplementation. It is readily available in meat, dairy, and leafy greens. You don't need much vitamin K, so you most likely get plenty from your diet.

However, some people have blood clotting issues, requiring the administration of vitamin K. You can get vitamin K supplements as a pill, capsule, or cream. You will want to get it prescribed by a doctor so you know what dosage to take. Often newborns will show signs of poor blood clotting, and will receive injections of vitamin K to aid blood clotting.

Sometimes people self-prescribe vitamin K for bruising, dark circles under the eyes, or to improve the effectiveness of cancer treatments. Such self-diagnoses should be discussed with a doctor since vitamin K can interfere with other medications. Doctors aren't sure vitamin K really supports cancer treatments yet. Be careful not to make broad assumptions about the impact of vitamin K quite yet.

You will want to discuss any use of vitamin K with your doctor if you take blood thinners or have any concerns about blood clotting. Consider this scenario: If you are a woman who wants to use vitamin K to reduce circles under your eyes, but you also use oral contraceptives (and are therefore already at risk for blood clots), you may create a dangerous situation for yourself, all in pursuit of vanity.

It is in your best interest to consult your physician before taking vitamin K supplements.