Vitamin K
Vitamin K is a vitamin which is soluble in fat. It is probably best known for its role in the coagulation (clotting) of blood. However, it also serves other important functions in the body.
Vitamin K was discovered by a Danish chemist named Henrik Dam. He won the 1943 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discovering its key role in the coagulation of blood.[1] Since that time, Vitamin K's role in other physiologic functions has become known. One of the most important is its role in controlling where calcium goes in the body.
Without Vitamin K, there would be a loss of blood when a person bleeds, which can lead to unconsciousness or even death.[2] Vitamin K can be found in green vegetables, such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli or cabbage.[2]
Vitamin K Media
Injectable solutions of vitamin K
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) – both forms of the vitamin contain a functional naphthoquinone ring and an aliphatic side chain. Phylloquinone has a phytyl side chain.
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone). In menaquinone, the side chain is composed of a varying number of isoprenoid residues. The most common number of these residues is four, since animal enzymes normally produce menaquinone-4 from plant phylloquinone.
A sample of phytomenadione for injection, also called phylloquinone
Cyclic mechanism of action of vitamin K
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References
- ↑ "Henrik Dam - Biography". nobelprize.org. Retrieved 29 March 2010.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Anderson J, Young L. "Fat-Soluble Vitamins". Colorado State University, Cooperative Extension. Archived from the original on 17 May 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2007.
