Vitamin K Deficiency

A few days ago, a friend sent me an email saying that she recently learned in a nutrition class that long-term antibiotic use can cause a Vitamin K deficiency and she asked me to look up the symptoms to see if it sounded like something I might have. I hadn't heard of it, so I looked it up. Three days later, I had something very scary happen to me (trust me, you most likely don't want to hear about it) that made me extremely glad to have my friend looking out for me...

Vitamin K is important for helping your blood clot normally, so people with a deficiency can have excessive bleeding from cuts. Long term antibiotics (especially cephalosporins) can deplete your body of Vitamin K, and, ladies, one of the ways a Vitamin K deficiency can manifest is as heavy periods.

I've been noticing an increasing trouble in getting my blood to clot after my shots. As I said, I also had something very scary happen to me a few days ago that made me practically run to my doctor's office begging for a test for a Vitamin K deficiency. I am anxiously awaiting the results, thanking my lucky stars for the timing of my friend's email on Vitamin K, and I will keep you all updated on my results.

For those of you on long-term antibiotics or simply concerned about a deficiency in this vitamin, here is a list of the top ten foods highest in Vitamin K. Maybe this is why I've been craving asparagus lately (and absolutely nothing to do with why I've been craving ice cream!)

(Photo Credit here)