VITAMIN K // PHYLLOQUINONE

Vitamin K Intake Recommendations

Because of the lack of specific information about the vitamin K requirement, the European Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies has set no population reference intakes (PRI) for vitamin K but considers a daily intake of 1 microgram (mcg) per kilogram (kg) body weight to be adequate and provided by a normal diet (25).

Some European countries have set values for recommended vitamin K intake. Germany, Austria and Switzerland recommend an estimated value of 70 micrograms (mcg) vitamin K per day for men and 60 micrograms (mcg) per day for women (26).

In 2001, the United States Food and Nutrition Board established the adequate intake (AI) level for vitamin K based on consumption levels of healthy individuals (27):

Life Stage   Age  Males (mcg/day) Females (mcg/day) 
 Infants 0–6 months 2.0* 2.0*
 Infants  7–12 months 2.5* 2.5*
 Children   1–3 years 30 30
 Children  4–8 years 55 55
 Children 9–13 years 60 60
 Adolescents 14–18 years 75 75
 Adults 19 years and older 120 90
 Pregnancy 18 years and younger - 75
 Pregnancy 19 years and older - 90
 Breast-feeding 18 years and younger - 75
 Breast-feeding 19 years and older - 90

* The AI for infants is based on an estimated intake of vitamin K from breast milk.

The current values are predominantly based on the daily vitamin K intake of healthy individuals; they do not reflect any additional level of vitamin K, which may promote potential health benefits.

The dietary intake of vitamin K required for optimal function of all vitamin K-dependent proteins is not yet known. To obtain the amount of vitamin K associated with a decreased risk of hip fracture in the Framingham Heart Study (12), an individual would need to consume about 250 micrograms (mcg) per day.

For a detailed overview of recommended daily intakes (PRIs/RDAs) of vitamins and minerals for adults derived from different countries and organizations see PDF.

People being treated with anticoagulants (heparin) in particular should consult their medical adviser before taking vitamin K supplements.

Newborn infants are at an increased risk of deficiency (see Deficiency).

Authored by Dr Peter Engel in 2010, reviewed and updated by Dr Szabolcs Peter on 18.06.2017