🩸 Vitamin K Deficiency Can Also Cause Blocked Arteries — Identify It with These Symptoms
Vitamin K is not only important for blood clotting but also plays a major role in preventing calcium buildup in your arteries. A deficiency can silently increase your risk of heart disease, bone weakness, and bleeding disorders. Here’s everything you need to know:
🫀 1. Hardening or Blockage of Arteries
Vitamin K helps prevent calcium from depositing in arteries. When levels are low, calcium starts building up, causing arterial stiffness and blockages that increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
🩸 2. Easy Bruising and Bleeding
Frequent bruises, nosebleeds, or bleeding gums can signal a deficiency. Vitamin K is essential for making proteins that help in blood clotting — without it, even minor injuries may bleed longer.
🦵 3. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Women with vitamin K deficiency may notice heavier or prolonged periods because the blood takes longer to clot. This can also lead to fatigue or anemia over time.
🦴 4. Weak Bones or Osteoporosis
Vitamin K activates proteins that bind calcium to bones. Deficiency leads to poor bone mineralization, making bones fragile and more prone to fractures — especially in older adults.
😵 5. Internal Bleeding Symptoms
In severe cases, deficiency may cause blood in urine or stool, black stools, or vomiting blood. These are warning signs of internal bleeding and require immediate medical attention.
👶 6. In Newborns — Bleeding Disorders
Newborn babies are often given a vitamin K injection after birth because their bodies can’t produce enough. Without it, they may develop a rare but dangerous bleeding condition called VKDB (Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding).
🍃 Main Causes of Vitamin K Deficiency
- Poor diet (lack of green leafy vegetables)
- Long-term antibiotic use (kills gut bacteria that produce vitamin K)
- Digestive disorders (like celiac or Crohn’s disease)
- Liver diseases
- Use of blood thinners like warfarin
🥬 Vitamin K-Rich Foods
Add these foods to your diet regularly:
- Spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage
- Lettuce, parsley, and mustard greens
- Avocado, kiwi, olive oil, and soybeans
💡 Key Takeaway
Vitamin K deficiency doesn’t just affect clotting — it can quietly harm your heart and bones. Watch for the warning signs early and include vitamin K-rich foods daily to protect your arteries and overall health.
