If you happen to be someone who must deal with unexplained bruising, or if you bruise spectacularly for little reason, you may find one possibility that you may want to review is a possible vitamin K deficiency.  The causes of bruising, especially as we grow older, is a situation that we need to face directly.  The difficulty is that there can be many reasons why bruising has become a problem, and you may find yourself at a loss.  Vitamin K deficiency is something that can happen in people at any age, and even though it is most common in young children and pregnant women, it is still a condition that you need to be knowledgeable about.

What are the symptoms that might come with vitamin K deficiency?  When you are looking at vitamin K, consider what your body uses it for.  It is intended to coagulate your blood, and it is imperative when it comes to maintaining proper bone density.  It is very much involved in the functioning of many of the proteins that are used in blood clotting.  It plays a very important role in the development of the fetus, and proper ingestion of vitamin K during pregnancy can help your infant become a healthy individual.  As you can see, a vitamin K deficiency can have some severe consequences. 

Unusually heavy menstrual bleeding is known to be one side effect of having a vitamin K deficiency, as well as nose bleeds, anemia, bleeding of the gums, hematomas and a thinning of the blood.  A deficiency of vitamin K can also make you bruise very easily, to the point where you can’t even recall how the bruise got there in the first place.  When looking at a vitamin K deficiency, you’ll find that most of the harmful effects have to do with a lack in your body’s ability to cause the blood to clot.  If you discover that you are afflicted by any of these symptoms, try to determine whether a vitamin K deficiency is something that you need account for. 

Do you know if you are considered to be at risk for a vitamin K deficiency?  Vitamin K is usually not a concern for adults because it is readily available in a large variety of foods, but if you are required to take anticonvulsants, they can interfere with the vitamin K that exists in your body’s system.  It is generally well known that people who have physical problems which involve the malabsorption of fat can be more likely to have a vitamin K deficiency.  Some foods that can enhance the levels of vitamin K in your system include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, wheat bran, cereals and soya beans.

We all desire to stay healthy, so if you have noticed any of the conditions that are recited above, make it a point to speak to a doctor about your situation.  It could be that being susceptible to bruising may be pointing to other, more urgent conditions, so always stay aware of what your system needs.  It is critical that you pay attention to the signs that your body gives you when something is not right, so be aware.

About the author: 


Carolyn Cooper is recognized as a well known expert on bruising causes through a combination of her educational experience in nutrition and her real life expertise with nutritional supplements for athletes, ranging from children to the professional ranks. You can get a free Special Report on bruising causes and see what she’s done to get you beyond the nightmares of easy bruising and help you prevent bruising altogether.