Prevent Biliary Obstruction
Vitamin K is an important nutrient that helps the body in many ways. One of the most important functions of vitamin K is to help prevent biliary obstruction. Biliary obstruction is a condition in which the bile ducts become blocked, preventing bile from flowing properly. This can lead to serious health problems, including liver damage.
Vitamin K helps keep the bile ducts clear by helping to break down cholesterol deposits that can build up and block them. It also helps to reduce inflammation in the bile ducts.
Prevent hemorrhaging in infants
Infants are born with very low levels of vitamin K. This can lead to a condition called hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (HDN), which can be serious or even fatal. HDN is most common in developing countries where there is little or no access to vitamin K-containing foods or supplements. (4)
There are two forms of HDN: early and classic. Early HDN begins within the first 24 hours after birth and can cause bleeding from the umbilical cord, nose, and gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, most infants are given a vitamin K shot at birth to help prevent hemorrhaging.