Role of Vitamin K in the Human Body
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin essential for several
physiological processes, particularly blood
coagulation, bone health, and vascular health. Its
primary role is to act as a cofactor for the carboxylation
of certain proteins, enabling them to function properly.
Blood Coagulation Pathway and Vitamin K
Vitamin K plays a central role in the blood coagulation
cascade, a critical process that prevents excessive
bleeding when blood vessels are injured. The
coagulation pathway involves two main systems:
1. Intrinsic Pathway: Activated by damage inside the
blood vessels.
2. Extrinsic Pathway: Triggered by external trauma
causing blood to escape from the vessels.
These pathways converge into the common pathway,
leading to the formation of a stable clot. Vitamin K is
essential for the proper functioning of these pathways.
