Vitamin K2 plays a critical role in blood clotting, and prioritizing vitamin K2-rich foods may offer a potential solution for women seeking relief from excessive menstrual bleeding.
Discover the benefits of maintaining optimal levels of vitamin K2 for heavy periods and learn how to incorporate this essential nutrient into your diet.
What is vitamin K?
Vitamin K naturally occurs in two forms: vitamin K1 and vitamin K2.
While vitamin K1 is predominantly found in plant foods such as leafy greens, vitamin K2 can be obtained from animal products and fermented foods.
Vitamin K1 is a fat-soluble vitamin that activates proteins needed for blood clotting and wound healing.
In addition to regulating blood clotting, vitamin K2 regulates calcium balance and redirects calcium away from soft tissues into bone and teeth.
This supports optimal bone density and protects soft tissues such as blood vessels, tendons, and joints from the negative impacts of calcium accumulation.
Vitamin K2 is regarded as the more bioactive form of vitamin K, and research published in Nutrition and Metabolism indicates that it plays a greater role in maintaining optimal levels and preventing deficiencies.1
Watch the video below to discover the impressive health benefits of vitamin K2.
Causes of heavy menstrual bleeding
Heavy menstrual bleeding, or menorrhagia, can be caused by various factors.
Imbalanced levels of female sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, can deregulate the menstrual cycle and trigger the thickening of the uterine lining, which can lead to heavy periods.
Hormonal imbalances frequently contribute to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition often associated with menstrual irregularities, including heavy bleeding.
Uterine fibroids are another common cause of heavy menstrual bleeding. These noncancerous growths in the uterine lining can impair normal blood clotting and increase menstrual flow.
Other potential causes of menorrhagia include:
- Uterine polyps
- Obesity
- Endometriosis
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- Chronic stress
- Pelvic inflammation
- Certain medications, such as blood thinners and hormonal treatments
Signs of heavy periods
Menorrhagia is characterized by abnormally heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding during a woman’s menstrual cycle.
According to a report published by Harvard Health, around ten percent of women develop menorrhagia at some point in their lives.2
Here are common signs and symptoms of heavy periods:
- Excessive bleeding
- Large blood clots
- Severe menstrual pain
- Difficulties managing menstrual flow
Risks of heavy menstrual bleeding
Heavy menstrual bleeding can be a disruptive health issue and is associated with several potential risks and complications.
Chronic heavy bleeding may lead to iron-deficiency anemia, linked to fatigue, weakness, pale skin, and chest pain.
Menorrhagia can interfere with daily activities and make it challenging to engage in physical activity, and women suffering from heavy periods often experience emotional stress and anxiety.
If you are suffering from heavy periods, it’s crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a thorough evaluation of your symptoms and overall health status to identify potential underlying health issues contributing to excessive bleeding.
The benefits of vitamin K2 for heavy periods
Research published in Hematology suggests that almost 90 percent of women with menorrhagia have an underlying bleeding disorder or show signs of impaired uterine blood coagulation.3
Vitamin K-dependent proteins play a critical role in blood clotting, a crucial aspect of regulating proper blood coagulation and preventing excessive bleeding.
Adequate levels of vitamin K are necessary for the production and activation of these clotting proteins, and a deficiency of vitamin K can lead to impaired blood clotting processes, significantly increasing the risk of heavy periods.
Other benefits of vitamin K
Although vitamin K plays a critical role in various physiological functions, the importance of maintaining a healthy vitamin K status is often overlooked.
Here are three health benefits of vitamin K2.
1. Supports cardiovascular health
Vitamin K redirects calcium from the blood into the bones and teeth, which supports balanced calcium levels and can help lower the risk of calcium deposits in soft tissues such as blood vessels, joints, and tendons.
Poor dietary habits and lack of adequate vitamin K intake can increase the risk of arterial calcification, a leading cause of clogged arteries and other cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
2. Promotes reproductive health
A study published in Children suggests that adequate vitamin K2 levels during pregnancy may support fetal bone development and help promote healthy blood clotting during childbirth.4
Vitamin K also helps reduce the risk of vitamin K deficiency bleeding, also known as hemorrhagic disease, in newborn infants.
This serious condition is characterized by internal bleeding, including in the brain and digestive system, and is typically caused by insufficient blood clotting due to a lack of adequate vitamin K.
3. Supports healthy skin and hair growth
An increasing number of dermatologists suggest that vitamin K2 may play a role in skin and hair health.
It’s believed that vitamin K2 supports healthy skin and hair by helping regulate calcium balance, which is important for maintaining skin elasticity and strength.
Additionally, its role in blood clotting promotes proper circulation, supporting nutrient delivery to the skin and hair follicles for overall vitality and repair.
Signs of low vitamin K
Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and bone health, and low vitamin K status can significantly impact your health.
Severe vitamin K deficiency is associated with excessive bleeding, easy bruising, and gastrointestinal bleeding, which is often accompanied by blood in the stool or urine.
Here are common signs of low vitamin K:
- Excessive bleeding
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding gums
- Soft and brittle bones
- Poor wound healing
- Recurrent infections
The liver plays an essential role in vitamin K absorption, and individuals with liver disease, such as cirrhosis or fatty liver, are at increased risk of vitamin K deficiency.
Sources of vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 is naturally present in a variety of animal-based and fermented foods.
Fermented options like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and especially natto (a traditional Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans), are among the best sources of vitamin K.
Animal-derived foods such as egg yolks, liver, oily fish, butter, and certain aged cheeses also provide valuable amounts of vitamin K2.
While some beneficial gut bacteria can produce vitamin K2, a fact sheet published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) notes that it’s still uncertain whether this internal production is sufficient to maintain optimal levels.5
This underscores the importance of prioritizing vitamin K2-rich foods to support healthy periods and promote overall reproductive functions.
Key takeaways
Vitamin K2 is a critical nutrient needed for proper blood clotting, and a deficiency can increase the risk of excessive bleeding, including heavy menstrual flow.
Prioritizing vitamin K2-rich foods such as natto, egg yolks, liver, aged cheeses, and fermented vegetables may offer a food-based approach for women looking to ease excessive menstrual bleeding naturally.
FAQ
1. Does vitamin K reduce menstrual bleeding?
Yes, vitamin K plays a key role in healthy blood clotting, which may help support a balanced menstrual flow.
Consuming plenty of vitamin K-rich foods, such as fermented foods, egg yolks, liver, and oily fish, may be an excellent strategy for women experiencing heavy periods.
2. What vitamins help with heavy menstrual bleeding?
Vitamin K supports healthy blood clotting, which may help manage heavy menstrual bleeding. This fat-soluble vitamin can be found in foods such as leafy green vegetables, fermented foods, egg yolks, and liver.
3. Does vitamin K2 thicken blood?
Although vitamin K2 is needed for blood clotting and coagulation, it doesn’t cause blood to thicken.
However, vitamin K2 may interfere with the effectiveness of blood-thinning medications, and it’s important to consult a healthcare provider before significantly increasing your intake of vitamin K-rich foods or making major dietary changes.
4. What is the difference between vitamin K1 and vitamin K2?
Vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 are two different forms of vitamin K. While both forms support the body’s blood clotting process, vitamin K2 also regulates calcium metabolism and helps deposit calcium into bones.
Vitamin K2 is generally believed to be more effective than vitamin K1 and has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and skeletal issues.
