A-OK One of my all-time favorite articles by Dr. Wright is "Vitamin K: What's it good for?" from the July 2000 issue of Nutrition & Healing. The answer to that question was a list so long that I'm STILL trying to commit it to memory nearly seven years later. But what I really like about the article is that it brought some much-needed and deserved attention to an underappreciated vitamin. The fact is, vitamin K is a nutritional powerhouse, and the latest proof of that came from a study published a few months ago from the University of Michigan School of Nursing. In this study, researchers looks at vitamin K's role in boosting bone mass and preventing osteoporosis. They discovered that as women's estrogen levels fall, so does vitamin K's ability to do its job inside bones, helping a protein known as osteocalcin bind to calcium. But here's the real kicker: The study revealed that the level of vitamin K that's considered "normal" for women is actually too low -- especially in women closing in on menopause. And since none of us know precisely when that's going to happen, the take-home message here appears to be that we could all benefit from getting more of this essential nutrient. So the first step is to up your intake of food sources of vitamin K, particularly dark green, leafy vegetables. Then there are supplements. Dr. Wright recommends 5 to 15 milligrams per day. There is one caution to be aware of: Vitamin K is essential for helping the body form blood clots. So if you’re currently taking a blood-thinning medication, be sure to talk with your doctor before changing your typical intake of vitamin K. | 
