Food Sources

Green leafy vegetables, notably green cabbage, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, liver, beans, peas, and carrots. At least half of the daily requirement is not obtained from food but is manufactured in the body.

RDA

60-80mcg

Pharmacologic Dose

N/A

Toxicity

Flushing, dizziness, weakness, rapid heartbeat.

Effects of Shortage

Shortage is unlikely except in people with poor fat absorption, such as sufferers of Crohn's disease, or people with severe gallstones. Lack of clotting ability causes prolonged bleeding. Newborn babies have little vitamin K, and the vitamin is often given at birth to guard against hemorrhage.