Leigh 's Wholesome Life

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Vitamin K + Kale Chips

Welcome back my friends to the last in my little fat-soluble vitamin series.

 

Today is all about vitamin No. 4

 

Vitamin K

 

Missed No. 1 (vitamin A), No.2 (vitamin D) and No. 3 (vitamin E) – Never fear, just click the links.

 

Needing some vitamin K in your life?  Then it’s time to up your veggie intake, and in particular, your green veggies.

 

Eating vitamin K rich foods can help with proper blood clotting and keeping bones strong as well as helping with insulin sensitivity and boosting your brain function.

 

Vitamin K can be found in abundance in many whole foods, so if you’re eating a diet of highly processed foods – then you may not be getting enough of this must needed nutrient.  Something to think about.

 

 Vitamin K Benefits

 

Strong Bones | Helps increase the amount of a specific protein that is required to maintain the calcium in our bones

Blood Clotting | Promotes the formation of blood clots – for this reason, those on blood thinners are recommended to moderate their vitamin K intake. However, great for those of us with low blood platelets

Insulin Sensitivity | Upping your intake of vitamin K may help maintain normal blood sugar levels, by helping to reduce the progression of insulin resistance

Brain Function | It’s anti-inflammatory properties helps protect the brain against oxidative stress caused by free radical damage

 

Vitamin K Deficiency

 

A deficiency in this vitamin can result in easy bruising, bleeding, tooth decay and weakened bones.

 

Vitamin K Precautions

 

Due to its ability to promote the formation of blood clots, those on blood thinners or with a history of stroke or cardiac arrest should talk to their doctor before taking vitamin K supplements

 

Vitamin K Foods

 

As with all of these fat-soluble vitamins – make sure you eat with some wholesome fat!

 

  • Leafy greens, including kale, swiss chard, dandelion greens and radicchio

  • Green veggies, including broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts + cucumbers

  • Fruits

  • Fermented foods

  • Prunes

  • Dried basil

 

Vitamin K Recipe