3430-D Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA  23139  

Phone: 804-598-5352

FAVORITE HEALTH QUOTE

“Medical scientists are nice people, but you should not let them treat you.”

- August Bier (1861-1949) German surgeon

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 NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION: 

BE GOOD TO YOURSELF 

by having regular massages from

 DOLCE MASSAGE &

 BODY WORKS 

Call Abbey Merritt (234-1055)

 for an appointment.

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 ACUPUNCTURE

IS HERE!

Call Elizabeth Mastropierro, L.Ac.

840-2193 for an appointment.

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NEW AT THE SHOP

Lamas Pumpkin Spice Polish Facial Scrub

Herbal Body Blessings Shea Butter Body Butters by Brodie's Naturals (made in Richmond)

Soothing Herbals Cold & Sinus Eucalyptus Chest Rub 

(made in Goshen, VA)

ALSO IN STOCK  

Vitamin K - 500 mcg tablets

Calcium Citrate with Vitamin K - Chewable

HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & SAFE NEW YEAR!!

JANUARY, 2008 NEWSLETTER

VITAMIN LESSON - VITAMIN K

   Have you ever heard of vitamin K? Many people haven’t even though this vitamin is critical to several important areas of health. It is manufactured in our intestines from our body’s “good” bacteria, so keeping our intestinal flora healthy will enable most of us to effectively make enough of it. Luckily, it is fat-soluble and will stay in our bodies for some time. Most newborns are routinely given a vitamin K injection at birth to prevent bleeding-related conditions even though most are considered rare.

   Vitamin K helps our blood to clot, so anyone taking blood-thinning medications should never supplement with vitamin K without a doctor’s recommendation; however, it is sometimes prescribed by physicians for people on those types of drugs. One of this vitamin’s other important functions is to help maintain healthy bones, particularly in the elderly. Vitamin K levels appear to decrease with age while the risk of fracture increases; therefore, it is important for older individuals to include foods containing vitamin K in their diet.   Vitamin K has been shown to help prevent calcification of our arteries which is helpful for preventing heart disease, and in studies, vitamin K1 has demonstrated anti-cancer effects.

   Vitamin K1, also called phylloquinone, is the natural, plant form of this nutrient. Vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, is produced by the bacteria in animal and human intestines. Vitamin K3, also called menadione, is the synthetic version. The three forms are about equally helpful for blood clotting, but vitamin K1, the form that only occurs in green plants, is the best form for protecting against osteoporosis. Since vitamin K3 is synthetic (man-made), it may not be the most desirable form to take.

   Deficiencies of vitamin K have been linked to numerous health conditions, including the following: bleeding (gums, heavy menstrual or gastrointestinal, nosebleeds, blood in the urine), hemorrhages (eyes, ovaries), anemia, prolonged clotting time, bruising easily, osteopenia, osteoporosis, fractures, hypercalciuria (excessive secretion of calcium in the urine), liver cancer, and calcification of soft tissue, especially heart valves. Vitamin K deficiencies can come from regular consumption of aspirin and salicylate-containing foods like nuts, fruits, spices, and mints; antibiotic and sulfonamide use, which destroys the good bacteria that helps manufacture vitamin K; yeast infections; alcoholism; malnutrition; celiac disease; colitis; and taking cholesterol or blood-thinning medications, antacids, and too much vitamin A or E.   

   Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, asparagus, watercress, cabbage, cauliflower, green peas, beans, olives, canola, soybeans, meat, cereals, and dairy products. Cooking does not remove significant amounts of vitamin K from these foods. Fermented foods like natto (fermented soy) have the most amounts of vitamin K, but most of us rarely consume fermented foods. If you take supplements, it is generally safe to take from 500 mcg – 6000 mcg depending on your specific health needs.

   Pregnant and nursing mothers should avoid vitamin K supplements higher than 65 mcg (the RDA) unless recommended by their physician. Anyone who has had a stroke, cardiac arrest, and those prone to blood clotting should not take vitamin K without first consulting their physician.