1. What is the nutrient?
Vitamin K
2. What is the RDA/DRI for the nutrient?
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamins reflects how much of
each vitamin most people should receive each day. The RDA for vitamins may
be used as goals for people. The amount of each vitamin you need depends on
your age and gender.
Group
Adequate Intake (AI)
Children 0-6 months
2 micrograms/day
Children 7-12 months
2.5 micrograms/day
Children 1-3
30 micrograms/day
Children 4-8
55 micrograms/day
Children 9-13
60 micrograms/day
Girls 14-18
75 micrograms/day
Women 19 and up
90 micrograms/day
Women, pregnant or
breastfeeding
(19-50)
Women, pregnant or
breastfeeding
(less than 19)
90 micrograms/day
75 micrograms/day
Boys 14-18
75 micrograms/day
Men 19 and up
120 micrograms/day
3. How is the nutrient metabolized?
 Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is an important dietary component
because it is necessary as a cofactor in the activation of vitamin K dependent
proteins. Metabolism of vitamin K is synthesized mainly in the liver.
4. What are food sources of the nutrient?
Food Sources Include:
 Green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, turnip greens, collards, parsley,
romaine, and green leaf lettuce
 Vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage
 Fish, liver, meat, eggs, and cereals
5. What disease states alter the nutrients metabolism?
 Diseases that alter the nutrients metabolism are those patients with
cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, or coagulation disorders.
6. What are the tests or procedures to assess the nutrient level in the body?
Serum Vitamin K Measurement:
 The test measures the amount of vitamin K in the blood
 The test is used to assess for vitamin K deficiency
 Lab tests may be used to determine if a medical condition is improving or
worsening.
7. What is the drug –nutrient interactions?
 If a patient is taking blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs),
you may need to limit the dietary intake of vitamin K foods and should not
take supplemental vitamin K.
8. How is the nutrient measured?
 Micrograms (mcg)
9. What is the Upper Tolerable Limits?
 No Upper Tolerable Limits have been set.
10. What are the physical signs of deficiency?
 Vitamin K deficiency usually consists of bruising and bleeding.
11. What are physical signs of toxicity?
 There is no known toxicity associated with vitamin K, but high doses may
cause numbness or tingling in the extremities.