Vitamin K provides function for blood coagulation by helping carboxylation of vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Vitamin K belongs to a group of fat-soluble 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives. Carried through the body by lipids and stored in fat tissue.
Anticoagulants like Warfarin block the action of vitamin K. Blood clots are formed through a series of chemical reactions in human body. Vitamin K is essential for those reactions. Warfarin (Coumadin) works by decreasing the activity of vitamin K; lengthening the time it takes for a clot to form.
Warfarin produces an anticoagulant effect by interfering with the regeneration of vitamin K hydroquinone from vitamin K epoxide. It inhibits the reductase enzymes in the vitamin K cycle.
In turn, vitamin K blocks the action of anticoagulants. This is why people taking these types of medications have to limit how much vitamin K they get in their diet.
Anticoagulant and vitamin K
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| Source of vitamin K |
