The Health Benefits of Vitamin K For Seniors

Most people are aware that a balanced diet is an important part of living a healthy life and part of building a balanced diet is getting enough essential nutrients each day. One of the oft-forgotten nutrients is vitamin K which can improve a person's health, especially for older adults.

Related Blog: 6 Vitamins Seniors Should Be Taking

What is Vitamin K?

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means that it gets absorbed in the fatty tissue. Rather than being a single vitamin, it is a family of compounds that comes in two forms: vitamin K1 and K2.

The daily Adequate Intake for adult men is 120 micrograms. For women, they should get 90 micrograms a day. 

What Are The Health Benefits of Vitamin K for Seniors?

One of the main benefits of Vitamin K is that it helps with mobility. It is important for both healthy aging and quality of life. Research has shown that lower levels of vitamin K in older adults is linked to a decrease in mobility. 

Vitamin K may also aid your body in preventing cardiovascular disease. The buildup of calcium in the arteries can put you at risk for heart disease and studies have shown that those with high levels of vitamin K were 52% less likely to develop artery calcification.  

Another Vitamin K benefit is that it prevents excessive bleeding by helping the blood clot. It also helps in building stronger bones by promoting the calcification of bones and developing new bone tissue. 

The vitamin can also stop the calcification of your blood vessels and kidneys. Some experts have even looked into the possibility of Vitamin K being used as a treatment for osteoporosis. Some others suggest it can lower the risk of developing the condition. However, there has not been enough data to support these claims even though research continues.

Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any nutritional supplement program.

Common Foods That Contain Vitamin K

Vitamin K is naturally found in many common foods that are probably already a part of your daily diet.

You’ll find the most vitamin K in leafy greens like kale, spinach, broccoli, and lettuce. You can also find it in soybean and canola oil which are common ingredients in salad dressings!

You can also obtain vitamin K2 in animal products such as fish, meat, liver, and eggs. Cheeses also are good sources of this vitamin.

Moorings Park Communities’ Care 360 concierge healthcare program supports the overall commitment to providing Simply the Best® amenities and services with professional and compassionate care to each person we serve. For more information on our concierge physicians and personalized healthcare program, contact us today.