Vitamin K is necessary for the synthesis of prothrombin, an enzyme synthesized by the liver. Prothrombin is required for clotting of blood.
Deficiency of Vitamin D
In the newborn babies, intestinal enzymes are not fully developed for the synthesis of vitamin K. Thus, some infants show susceptibility to haemorrhage. Vitamin K is given to infants immediately after birth specially to those who show haemorrhage tendency.
Recommended Allowances
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The variations in intestinal synthesis and in the diet have made it possible to exactly determine the quantity of vitamin K in daily diet. Dietary deficiency is not believed to be a problem.
Sources of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is found in plants. Good sources are cauliflower, spinach and soybeans. Comparatively, fruits, cereals and animals products contain little vitamin K.
It is also synthesized in the intestinal tract by the bacteria. It is quite stable to heat. It is insoluble in water and so deficiency of this vitamin in the normal conditions does not occur.
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Water-soluble Vitamins: Vitamins B and Can are soluble in water.