Saturday, October 17, 2009

Give Me a K!

You may know about the benefits of vitamins A, B, C, D, and E. But vitamin K? It is one of the most important, yet overlooked, keys to disease prevention, according to an analysis of data from hundreds of studies by the noted researcher, Dr. Bruce Ames, at Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute. Vitamin K is best known for its blood clotting action. But it’s also essential for bones, arteries, immunity, and other body functions, and deficiency may contribute to age, related conditions, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and possibly even cancer.

Most people fall short on K. The current recommended intake is 90 mcg a day for women and 120 mcg for men. And you probably need even more than that for optimal health, says Dr. Ames. Dark leafy greens, such as spinach, kale, and Swiss chard, are the best sources. Multivitamins contain only small amounts, if any.

Source: Health Insider

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