Research Notes for Vitamin

Name: VITAMIN K (phylloquinone, menaquinone)

Circle the correct answer regarding your nutrient:

Vitamin/Fat Soluble or Vitamin/Water Soluble

Function(s)—Role it Plays in the Body

Vitamin K is required to activate various proteins necessary for blood clotting, for example from a
wound. Vitamin K is also required for calcium metabolism and appropriate bone growth. Vitamin K2
activates proteins that aid in the transfer of calcium from the bloodstream, into the bones. Vitamin K is
also essential for the health of our hearts. Matrix GLA protein, which emits the amount of calcium laid
down on the walls of blood vessels, particularly the coronary artery, is one among the proteins activated
by vitamin K2.

Food Sources

The sources of vitamin K are animal fats (egg yolks, whole milk, red meat) and green vegetables
(broccoli, kale).
Deficiency Symptoms/Diseases

Excessive bleeding, easy bruising, blood clots under the nails, black or bloody stool, bone loss,
and painful menstrual cycles are some of the most frequent vitamin K deficiency symptoms. Liver
difficulties, lipid malabsorption, gallbladder illness, and celiac disease are just a few of the vitamin K
deficiency diseases.

Who is Most at Risk?

Vitamin K deficiency may affect people of any age, but newborn babies are especially vulnerable. A lack
of vitamin K reaching the embryo before birth, as well as a shortage of vitamin K in breast milk, are the
most common causes of vitamin K deficiency. Although vitamin K deficiency is uncommon in adults,
those who use coumarin anticoagulants such as warfarin, which thins the blood, are on antibiotics, or
have a disease that causes the body to not absorb fat effectively are at higher risk.
 Research Notes for Mineral
Name: Zinc

Circle the correct answer regarding your nutrient:

Mineral/Macro-Nutrient or Mineral/Micro-Nutrient

Function(s)—Role it Plays in the Body

Zinc is required for the operation of more than 300 enzymes involved in metabolism, digestion, nerve
function, and a variety of other functions. It also plays an important role in the formation and function of
immune cells. Skin health, DNA synthesis, and protein formation are all dependent on this mineral.
Furthermore, zinc is required for body growth and development due to its function in cell division and
growth. Zinc is also important for your taste and smell sensations. A zinc shortage can impair your ability
to taste or smell since one of the enzymes required for appropriate taste and smell is dependent on this
mineral.

Food Sources

Many animal and plant foods that are naturally rich in zinc are Shellfish, Nuts and seeds, Whole grains,
Legumes, and Poultry.

Deficiency Symptoms/Diseases

Diarrhea, thinning hair, decreased appetite, mood swings, dry skin, reproductive troubles, and poor
wound healing are all symptoms of mild zinc insufficiency. Reduced growth and development, delayed
sexual maturity, skin rashes, persistent diarrhea, impaired wound healing, and behavioral difficulties are
all symptoms of severe zinc deficiency.

Who is Most at Risk?

Although severe zinc insufficiency is uncommon, it can develop in persons with unusual genetic defects,
nursing infants whose mothers are deficient in zinc, people with alcohol addictions, and those who use
certain immune-suppressing drugs.