Benefits of Vitamin E and Vitamin K

by Dr John Anne

Vitamin E (Tocoferol): Vitamin E is the generic name for a group of closely related and naturally occurring fat-soluble compounds, the tocopherols. Of these, alpha-tocopherol is biologically the most potent.

Sources: Vitamin E is widely distributed in foods. By far the richest sources are vegetable oils, cotton seed, sunflower seed, egg yolk and butter. Foods rich in poly unsaturated fatty acids are also rich in vitamin E.

Daily requirements: The usual plasma level of vitamin E in adults is between 0.8 and 1.4 mg per 100 ml (37). While there is no doubt that man requires tocopherol in his diet, there is no clear indication of dietary deficiency. The role of vitamin E at the molecular level is little understood. The current estimate of Vitamin E requirement is about 10 mg per day adult.

Recently the cytotoxic of vitamin E on human lymphocytes in vitro at high concentrations has been reported. This being so, caution should exercised against the mega-dose consumption of vitamin E is clinical practice. More on Vitamin E benefits, sources and deficiency

Vitamin K: Vitamin K occurs in at least two major forms--vitamin K1 and vitamin K2.

Sources: Vitamin K 1 is found mainly in fresh green vegetables particularly dark green ones, and some fruits. Cows milk is a richer source (60mcg/L) of vitamin K than human milk (15mcg/L).

Vitamin K2 is synthesized by the intestinal bacteria, which usually provide an adequate supply in man. Long-term administration of antibiotic does for more than a week may temporarily suppress the normal intestinal flora, (a source of vitamin K2) and may cause a deficiency of vitamin K. Vitamin K is stored in the liver.

The role of vitamin K is to stimulate the production and/or the release of certain coagulation factors. In vitamin K deficiency, the prothrombin content of blood is markedly decreased and the blood clotting time is considerably prolonged.

Daily requirements: The vitamin K requirement of man is met by a combination of dietary intake and microbial synthesis in the gut. The daily requirement for man appears to be about 0.03mg/kg for the adult. Newborn infants tend to be deficient in vitamin K due to minimal stores of prothrombin at birth and lack of an established intestinal flora. Soon after birth, all infant or those at increased risk should receive a single instamuscular does of a vitamin K preparation (0.1-0.2 mg of menadione sodium bisufite or 0.5 mg of vitamin K1) by way of prophylaxis. More on Vitamin K- benefits, sources and deficiency

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Dr John Anne