Which vitamin is essential for proper blood coagulation?

Vitamin K is essential for proper blood coagulation because it plays a crucial role in the synthesis of certain proteins known as clotting factors, which are necessary for the blood coagulation process. These proteins include factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X. Without sufficient vitamin K, the body cannot produce these proteins effectively, leading to impaired coagulation and an increased risk of bleeding.

Vitamin K is found in two main forms—K1 (phylloquinone), which is primarily sourced from green leafy vegetables, and K2 (menaquinone), which is found in fermented foods and animal products. Vitamin D, vitamin C, and vitamin B12, while important for various bodily functions, do not have a direct role in the synthesis and function of blood clotting factors. Thus, they are not critical for the coagulation process as vitamin K is.