Bruising? Vitamin K?

[elfkin]

My dd bruises so easy - I am always shaking my head at her legs - It looks like we beat her!!! She is now gluten-free for suspected gluten intolerance (her brother is a full-blown hyper-sensitive celiac). Should I give her vitamin K? Is that something you can supplement with? I am so confused about what I should give the kids in the way of supplements. Anyone have any great ideas?

[CarlaB]

You can buy vitamin K as a cream to be applied to bruises. If she's having trouble with absorption, this might be more effective. I don't know how well it works, but it apparently can be absorbed through the skin.

[JodiC]

I just looked in my medical book regarding vitamin K supplemation. It says: "It is only needed in small amounts. It is used mainly for blood clotting but also for kidney function and bone metabolism. Requires some dietary fat for absorption. Bacteria living in the intestines produce about half the bod's needs, the rest comes from diet. Good food sources include spinach, cabbage, broccoli, turnip greens, or other leafy veggies; beef liver, green tea; cheese; and oats. Deficiency is extrmely rare in aduts but may occur in infants until their intestinal bacteria befin producing the vitamin. To enhance a newborn's blood clotting ability, the mother may take vitamin supplements before delivery. Otherwise, supplements are neither necessary nor recommended. megadoses higher than 500 mcg can be toxic or can cause allergic reaction, and must be prescribed by a doctor. large doses of vitamin E may interfere with vitamin K's blood-clotting effects." I would try supplementing with acidolphilus and bifidus first. These are found in yogurts and supplements at stores. Just ask the pharmacist or your doctor. I would like to caution against self medicating (even if it is just vitamins). It can turn out to be very detrimental. I hope this helps

[tarnalberry]

Before putting her on anything, get a blood panel for the common causes of easy bruising/bleeding from her doctor. You don't want to give her extra things she doesn't need, and you want to find out what she does need. There are a number of conditions (not vitamin related) that can cause the problem as well - ranging from fairly benign to serious. Have her tested first.

[Guinevere]

i agree that bloodwork might reveal something.

also, you can get lots of vitK from spirulina and chlorella, which also happen to have lots of b vitamins, and also serves to alkalize the gut, clean blood, oxygenate the blood, etc. super healthy for you kind of thing, but not very tasty. you can get it in a drink mix at health food/whole foods kind of store - where it is yummy.

i give my children (ages 14 & 17) the following almost daily: spirulina, multi-vitamin, liquid b12 - 1000mg+/-free form amino acids, 1000mg. ester C, 600+/- mg. calcium citrate with D/mag (they don't always eat dairy), and liquid minerals a couple of times a week. they also take probiotics and enzymes periodically.

[corinne]

There's very few foods that I can eat and green veggies go straight through my system. I haven't eaten anything green for 3 months. I went rock climbing two weekends ago and by the next day, my legs looked liked I'd been hit by a truck. I had bruises about 5 inches in diameter. I finally got an idea and put very well cooked spinach in the blender with tomato juice. It actually tastes good, has lots of vitamin K and seems to be ok with the tummy. I've been drinking a glass of that a day and I have been bruising a lot less.