Category: Coagulation

Honey has been used as a therapeutic agent for thousands of years, with ancient civilizations like the Sumerians recognizing its value for wound treatment. However, a common misconception exists regarding its effect on blood. Contrary to the belief that it helps clot blood, modern scientific research reveals honey has properties that can actually prolong blood clotting time.

In the 1930s, scientists discovered a lipid fraction in diets that prevented excessive bleeding in animals. This groundbreaking discovery led to the identification of Vitamin K, the essential nutrient responsible for giving blood its clotting ability.

According to the National Library of Medicine, vitamin K deficiency can lead to life-threatening bleeding disorders, particularly in newborns, known as Vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB). For both infants and adults, understanding which is most likely to be increased in vitamin K deficiency is crucial for prompt and accurate diagnosis and to prevent severe hemorrhagic complications.

According to the National Institutes of Health, vitamin K is essential for the proper function of several critical proteins involved in blood clotting. This process includes the synthesis of important vitamin K dependent anticoagulant factors, which are responsible for regulating the coagulation cascade and preventing uncontrolled clotting.