Vitamins E and K: their role and the effects of deficiency
- Knight, John
- Andrade, Maria
- Bayram-Weston, Zubeyde
Abstract
This article, the fourth in our series on vitamins and minerals, explores the fat-soluble vitamins E and K. Both vitamins are antioxidants and are primarily obtained from vegetable sources in the diet. Vitamin E is anti-inflammatory and can enhance immune responses, improve glycaemic control and may help protect against cardiovascular and neurological diseases. Vitamin K is a cofactor for an enzyme essential to the formation of clotting factors. Reduced vitamin K has been associated with blood vessel calcification, heart valve calcification and increased risk of coronary artery disease. Newborns and infants are prone to vitamin K deficiency so are given vitamin K injections or oral solutions.
This article has been double-blind peer reviewed
In this article…
Why vitamins E and K are classed as antioxidants
The roles of vitamins E and K in cardiovascular disease
How vitamin K helps in blood clotting
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Key points
Vitamins E and K are both fat-soluble vitamins
In cell membranes vitamin E is an important free radical scavenger
Vitamin E acts as a general antiinflammatory molecule
Vitamin K is an essential cofactor for synthesis of several clotting proteins
Deficiency of vitamin E and K is associated with multiple diseases