Nutrition Diet: What Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hematomas?

November 1, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the NIH, deficiencies in vitamins K and C are both known to contribute to bleeding and bruising issues, which can lead to hematomas. While trauma is a common cause, identifying what vitamin deficiency causes hematomas is crucial, as inadequate intake of these essential nutrients can lead to impaired blood clotting and fragile blood vessels.

Quick Summary

A lack of vitamin K can disrupt blood clotting, while a severe vitamin C deficiency can weaken blood vessels, both contributing to easy bruising and bleeding that can form hematomas. A balanced nutritional intake is key for preventing these conditions and supporting proper bodily repair functions.

Key Points

Vitamin K Deficiency: Lack of vitamin K impairs blood clotting and is a primary cause of bleeding and bruising.
Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy): Severe deficiency weakens blood vessels, leading to fragility and easy bruising.
Dietary Prevention: A balanced diet with foods rich in vitamins K and C helps prevent these deficiencies.
Risk Factors: Malabsorption issues, certain medications, and poor diet increase the risk of these deficiencies.
Medical Evaluation: Persistent or unexplained bruising should be medically evaluated to determine the cause.
Supplementation: High-risk individuals may need supplementation under medical guidance.

The Crucial Role of Vitamins in Preventing Hematomas

Hematomas are collections of clotted blood that are often caused by trauma. However, a lack of certain vitamins can increase susceptibility to hematomas, even from minor injuries. The main deficiencies linked to this issue are a lack of vitamin K and a severe deficiency of vitamin C. These vitamins are vital for maintaining the health of the circulatory system and the body’s ability to control bleeding.

Vitamin K and Blood Coagulation

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for blood clotting. It helps the liver produce key clotting proteins. A deficiency in vitamin K impairs blood clotting, leading to prolonged bleeding and potential hematoma formation.

Dietary sources of Vitamin K: Vitamin K1 is found in leafy greens, and Vitamin K2 is in animal and fermented foods.
- Vitamin K1: Kale, spinach, and broccoli are good sources.
- Vitamin K2: Natto, eggs, and certain cheeses contain this form.
Risk factors for deficiency: Deficiency is rare in healthy adults but can affect newborns, people with malabsorption disorders, or those on long-term antibiotics.
Symptoms of deficiency: Easy bruising, bleeding gums, nosebleeds, and excessive bleeding are common.

Vitamin C and Vascular Integrity

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) helps maintain the strength of blood vessels by supporting collagen synthesis. Collagen is a protein that strengthens capillary walls. Severe, long-term vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy, causing fragile blood vessels that can easily rupture and bleed. A rare case of a life-threatening retroperitoneal hematoma due to vitamin C deficiency has been reported.

Signs of severe deficiency (scurvy): Symptoms include fatigue, weakness, swollen and bleeding gums, joint pain, poor wound healing, and bruising.
Dietary sources of Vitamin C: Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent sources.
- Citrus fruits
- Strawberries
- Bell peppers
- Broccoli
Risk factors for deficiency: Individuals with very restrictive diets, poor intake, malabsorption, or alcohol dependence are at higher risk.

Distinguishing Between Vitamin K and C Deficiencies

Both deficiencies can cause bruising, but their mechanisms differ. The table below highlights these differences:


Feature	Vitamin K Deficiency	Vitamin C Deficiency (Scurvy)
Mechanism	Impairs blood clotting protein production.	Weakens capillary walls.
Symptom Type	Excessive bleeding and easy bruising.	Easy bruising, bleeding, joint pain, swollen gums, poor wound healing.
Diagnosis	Blood tests measuring clotting times.	Clinical symptoms, dietary history, and vitamin C levels.
Treatment	Vitamin K supplementation.	Vitamin C supplementation and dietary changes.

The Role of a Balanced Nutrition Diet in Prevention

A balanced diet is the best way to prevent deficiencies that contribute to hematomas.

Preventative measures:
- Eat varied foods: Include colorful fruits and vegetables.
- Include healthy fats: These aid fat-soluble vitamin K absorption.
- Manage malabsorption: Consult with healthcare professionals if you have conditions like celiac disease.
- Review medications: Some medications can affect vitamin K.
- Consider supplementation: Discuss supplementation with a doctor if you are at risk.

Conclusion: A Proactive Nutritional Approach

While hematomas can have various causes, a nutritious diet rich in vitamins K and C can help prevent those linked to deficiencies. Prioritizing foods rich in these vitamins supports blood clotting and strengthens blood vessels, reducing the risk of easy bruising and bleeding. Persistent, unexplained bruising should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out other conditions. A proactive nutritional approach is vital for circulatory health and preventing deficiency-related hematomas. For more information, refer to the NIH article on hematologic manifestations of nutritional deficiencies.

Note: This information is for educational purposes and not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before changing your diet or supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Deficiencies in vitamin K and vitamin C are the primary nutritional causes of easy bruising and hematomas. Vitamin K is vital for blood clotting, while vitamin C maintains the integrity of blood vessel walls.

While not a primary cause, severe vitamin B12 deficiency can sometimes indirectly contribute to bruising. In very rare cases, it can cause pancytopenia (low blood cell counts), which includes low platelet counts that affect clotting.

Vitamin K is essential for the liver to produce several key proteins, known as clotting factors, that are necessary for blood to clot correctly and stop bleeding.

Vitamin C is vital for synthesizing collagen, a protein that strengthens blood vessel walls. Without enough vitamin C, capillaries become fragile and can rupture easily, causing bleeding and bruising.

Excellent food sources for vitamin K include green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach, as well as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and fermented foods like natto.

A severe vitamin C deficiency, or scurvy, can cause symptoms such as easy bruising, swollen and bleeding gums, joint pain, fatigue, and slow wound healing.

While severe deficiencies are less common in regions with access to fresh food, individuals with poor dietary intake, malabsorption disorders, or those taking certain medications are at a higher risk of developing deficiencies that can lead to easy bruising.