When we cut ourselves we should stop bleeding in a short amount of time. Vitamin K is responsible for this. Efficient blood clotting is essential to close any wounds and prevent excessive bleeding and blood loss. This clotting of the blood also relates to our blood consistency. Having the right blood consistency is very important. If our blood is too thick, then we may end up with clots that cause a stroke or heart attack; if our blood is too thin, then we may bruise easily, or experience further internal bleeding. Vitamin K helps to keep our blood at the right consistency.

As well as blood health, vitamin K also helps to maintain our bone health. Demineralization is a process that releases minerals from our bones into our blood. This process needs to be strictly controlled in order to maintain healthy bones and prevent fractures. Vitamin K helps in this regulation.

Without adequate dietary vitamin K, our blood clotting may be impaired. Symptoms can include excessive bleeding of wounds, nose bleeding, bruising easily, heavy menstrual cycles, blood in the urine or stools, hemorrhaging, and even internal bleeding.

A vitamin K deficiency can also effect our bone health. It can contribute to increased bone loss and demineralization. This is called osteopenia. Osteopenia makes our bones more prone to fractures, can progress to further bone loss, and is often a precursor to osteoporosis.

Vitamin K is a fat soluble nutrient, and therefore, we need enough dietary fat to absorb it. If we eat our vitamin K-containing greens and use a moderate amount of vegetable oil, like olive oil, to cook them or dress them, then we should be consuming enough vitamin K. Without an adequate intake of dietary fat, we run the risk of fat soluble vitamin deficiencies and this includes vitamin K. This is a problem for malnourished populations, or people with severe eating disorders or self-restricted diets, where fat intake is sparse or deliberately limited.

Apart from a poor fat intake, fat malabsorption conditions can also cause a vitamin K deficiency. Certain conditions, if left untreated or poorly managed, can interfere with the absorption of fat, and therefore, the absorption of fat soluble nutrients. This includes those with celiacs disease or children with cystic fibrosis. Regardless of dietary fat and vitamin K intake, if the fat is not being absorbed then neither is the vitamin K.