Vitamin-E and Vitamin-K

Vitamin E (Tocopherols & Tocotrienols):

• Function: Major fat-soluble antioxidant; protects cell membranes from lipid peroxidation.

• RDA: Adults ~15 mg/day α-tocopherol.

• Deficiency: Rare; causes hemolytic anemia (esp. in newborns), neurological deficits due to membrane damage.

Vitamin K (K₁ – phylloquinone, K₂ – menaquinone):

• Function: Cofactor for γ-carboxylation of glutamate residues in clotting factors II, VII, IX, X, and proteins C & S.

• RDA: Adults ~90 µg/day (women), 120 µg/day (men).

• Deficiency: Prolonged bleeding, increased PT/INR; common in newborns (given prophylactic injection).