Vitamin K1
The primary dietary form of vitamin K, found in leafy green vegetables. Essential for blood clotting.
Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Daily Requirements by Life Stage 16 groups
| Life Stage | RDA / AI (µg/day) | Upper Limit (µg/day) |
|---|---|---|
| Children 1-3 years | 30.0 * | — |
| Children 4-8 years | 55.0 * | — |
| Males 9-13 years | 60.0 * | — |
| Females 9-13 years | 60.0 * | — |
| Males 14-18 years | 75.0 * | — |
| Females 14-18 years | 75.0 * | — |
| Males 19-30 years | 120 * | — |
| Females 19-30 years | 90.0 * | — |
| Males 31-50 years | — | — |
| Females 31-50 years | — | — |
| Males 51-70 years | — | — |
| Females 51-70 years | — | — |
| Males 70+ years | — | — |
| Females 70+ years | — | — |
| Pregnancy | 90.0 * | — |
| Lactation | 90.0 * | — |
* = Adequate Intake (AI) where no RDA established
Top Foods Highest in Vitamin K1
Amount per 100g serving. Values in µg per 100g.
Foods Highest in Vitamin K1 (Table)
| # | Food | Per 100g | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spices, thyme, dried | 1,714 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 2 | Spices, sage, ground | 1,714 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 3 | Spices, basil, dried | 1,714 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 4 | Parsley, fresh | 1,640 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 5 | Spices, parsley, dried | 1,360 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 6 | Spices, coriander leaf, dried | 1,360 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 7 | Amaranth leaves, raw | 1,140 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 8 | Chard, swiss, raw | 830 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 9 | Spices, poultry seasoning | 805 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 10 | Dandelion greens, raw | 778 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 11 | Collards, frozen, chopped, cooked, boiled, drained, without | 623 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 12 | Collards, frozen, chopped, cooked, boiled, drained, with sal | 623 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 13 | Spices, oregano, dried | 622 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 14 | Spices, marjoram, dried | 622 µg | Spices and Herbs |
| 15 | Mustard greens, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | 593 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 16 | Mustard greens, cooked, boiled, drained, with salt | 593 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 17 | Dandelion greens, cooked, boiled, drained, without salt | 551 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 18 | Cress, garden, raw | 542 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 19 | Spinach, frozen, chopped or leaf, cooked, boiled, drained, w | 541 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 20 | Spinach, frozen, chopped or leaf, cooked, boiled, drained, w | 541 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
Health Effects of Vitamin K1
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is the primary dietary form of vitamin K, essential for blood coagulation (activating clotting factors II, VII, IX, X) and bone metabolism (activating osteocalcin for calcium binding).
K1 deficiency impairs blood clotting, causing easy bruising and excessive bleeding. Newborn deficiency can cause hemorrhagic disease of the newborn. Subclinical deficiency may impair bone health.
No adverse effects from high K1 intake from food. No UL established. Note: vitamin K antagonizes warfarin (Coumadin); consistent intake is important for patients on anticoagulants.
Absorption & Interactions
Absorbed in the small intestine with dietary fat via bile-salt-dependent mechanisms. Bioavailability from vegetables is low (~5-10%) due to chloroplast binding; from oils it is ~60-80%.
Other Vitamins
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Vitamin K1 do I need per day?
Adult males need 120 µg/day and adult females need 90.0 µg/day.
Which food has the most Vitamin K1?
The food highest in Vitamin K1 is Spices, thyme, dried with 1,714 µg per 100g.
What does Vitamin K1 do in the body?
The primary dietary form of vitamin K, found in leafy green vegetables. Essential for blood clotting.