Answer to Question 1
Vitamin K deficiency is a life-threatening condition that results in a loss of the ability to form blood clots. If Muayyad were to avoid all foods containing vitamin K, he would become vitamin K deficient within 6-12 months. In addition, the frank vitamin K deficiency would alter bone strength, since it is a vitamin that catalyzes the carboxylation of some of the proteins necessary for bone and tooth formation.
Answer to Question 2
Muayyads rare inherited disorder, Factor V Leiden thrombophilia, has caused him to be quite aware of foods high in vitamin K that might exacerbate his blood clotting and interfere with the effectiveness of his blood thinning medication. Muayyads blood-thinning medication is probably warfarin (Coumadin), whose mechanism is to interfere with vitamin Ks activity and thus the reactions dependent on the vitamin, including reactions necessary for activation of blood clotting factors. If Muayyad consumed too much vitamin K, there would still be enough vitamin K activity to allow dangerous clots to form in his blood despite the medications action in reducing its activity. In addition, cranberry juice and alcohol may increase the effect of the medication warfarin, an example of a food-medication interaction that should be checked for all blood thinning medications.
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Anatomy of the Large Intestine (colon)