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
