NUTRITIONAL SOURCES OF VITAMIN-K

Objective: To review the function of vitamin K in clotting and methods of its analysis, to present results of previous studies on the role o f dietary vitamin K in humans and animals, and to reanalyze these data in light of current methods. Design: A review of assumptions stated i n the literature is presented, including the incorrect theory that a d iet-induced deficiency of vitamin K is nonexistent and the unsubstanti ated hypothesis that antibiotics can cause vitamin K deficiency by des troying intestinal bacteria. Conclusion: The insistent belief that int estinal bacteria are an important source of vitamin K has led to erron eous conclusions about the sources of vitamin Ii for human nutrition. In the future, the importance of various sources of vitamin K, their p athways of absorption, and their susceptibility to administration of a ntibiotics should be evaluated without recourse to current assumptions .