QUESTION: Good evening Akin,

I hope all has been well! My question is what is your opinion on the Vitamin K shot in newborn babies? I kind of know what you will say but what do you think some of the pros and some of the cons of the injection in newborns are? As a family friend will be delivering in the coming months and they’re thinking about getting it. As always, thank you for your time!

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ANSWER: Prophylactic vitamin K administration is founded on the premise that all children are born with an inherent defect; i.e. a deficiency of the antihemorrhagic factor (vitamin K). This erroneous supposition has led to the routine imposition of invasive, synthetic intramuscular injections on perfectly healthy, exceptionally delicate newborns mere hours after birth. Any intervention that bypasses the digestive system inevitably disrupts natural physiology by influencing the immune system and metabolic processes, thereby introducing an unknown long-term risk.

While it is true that placental transfer of vitamin K is minimal and that breast milk supplies only modest quantities, nature has evolved these mechanisms for a reason. The newborn’s physical structure possesses an innate capacity to adapt, develop, and gradually establish its own equilibrium. Overriding this natural process with artificial injections is neither safe nor sane, in my view.

Fundamentally, most concerns regarding vitamin K deficiency bleeding can be mitigated through optimal maternal nutrition during both the prenatal period and lactation. My suggestion would be incorporating at least four cups (daily) of freshly prepared juice containing copious amounts of vitamin K1-rich leafy greens (parsley, kale, basil, spinach, collard greens, Swiss chard, dandelion) along with the regular consumption of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, etc.). Fermented foods such as natto and fermented vegetables are good sources of vitamin K2 (though I advise caution with commercial soy).

In general, a healthy, organic, whole-food plant-based diet will generate a healthy gut flora (in the mother) which will optimize both the production and absorption of vitamin k, and consequently facilitate the appropriate transfer of the nutrient across the placenta and enrich the breast milk.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge that certain circumstances may indeed warrant vitamin K administration. Some of such scenarios could be maternal exposure to medications that disrupt vitamin K metabolism (warfarin, anticonvulsants, antituberculosis agents), prematurity, or hepatic dysfunction in the infant. (In such cases, if appropriate, one could consider oral vitamin K instead of intramuscular). Ultimately, however, these factors are diet-related and can thus be controlled through prudent lifestyle practices.

Be Well,
Akin

QUESTION: Hi Akin,

I hope this message finds you well. I’ve really been enjoying your content and appreciate the knowledge and insight you share—it’s been both inspiring and empowering on my wellness journey.

I have some more questions I was hoping to get your thoughts on:

1) Nightshade Foods & Inflammation
My sister recently noticed some sleep disturbances after eating white potatoes, and after learning more about nightshade vegetables, she decided to eliminate them. Interestingly, she also used to eat tomatoes daily and experienced occasional back itching, which has since disappeared after cutting them out. Do you recommend removing or reducing nightshade foods in general, particularly for those who have sensitive skin?

2) Fasting
During a 48 hour water fast, what would you recommend to take to help boost mineral intake, without breaking the full benefits of the fast? I usually have some ginger/lemon in warm spring/mineral water and a little bit of Himalayan or Celtic salt throughout the day if I feel I need it.

3) Breaking the Fast
What foods or approach would you recommend for breaking a 48-hour water fast? It’d be great to know if there are specific nutrients or sequences you suggest prioritizing when breaking a fast.

4) Vitamin B12 Sources
I’ve learned that the source of B12 found in many supplements, cyanocobalamin, is synthetic. Would you recommend to take this for B12? If not, what form of B12 would you personally recommend as a more natural and plant-based source?

Warm regards,

XXX [name redacted]

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ANSWER: 1) Many plants, including those from the Solanaceae family, posses potent phytochemicals (e.g., alkaloids, tannins, capsaicin) with defense properties that protect them from predators and pathogens. In healthy individuals, these protective substances do not pose harm. On the contrary, several of the compounds confer considerable therapeutic benefits for a range of chronic conditions, including cancer.

Rarely do organic, pesticide-free plant-based foods, in and of themselves, provoke adverse physiological reactions without the presence of an already impaired internal terrain (primarily within the gastrointestinal system). Even in cases of food sensitivities or allergies, the root cause typically resides in a compromised digestive ecosystem and/or impaired lymphatic flow.

Rather than renouncing an entire family of foods, it would be more sensible to eliminate that which is unequivocally deleterious (ultra-processed foods, alcohol, tobacco, etc.) and adapt a diet exclusively comprised of organically cultivated whole foods, especially those abundant in fiber and antioxidants. Such an approach assists in establishing a healthy gut microbiota, facilitates detoxification, and enhances lymphatic circulation. In the interim, it may be entirely reasonable to significantly reduce nightshade consumption and, where appropriate, temporarily pause the intake of the most problematic plants.

2) Provided one is in fairly sound physical condition, a two-day water fast typically does not demand additional mineral support, as the body is capable of maintaining electrolyte equilibrium during such a short-term abstention. However, some situations may necessitate supplementation, particularly when symptoms of electrolyte imbalance arise, such as arrhythmias or profound fatigue. In these instances, the inclusion of fresh lime or lemon juice, as you have done, is both practical and prudent. Placing a crystal of unrefined sea salt under the tongue can also help ameliorate such an imbalance.

3) Ideally, a water fast should be broken with freshly prepared, organic fruit or vegetable juice, or, alternatively, a vegetable broth or light blended concoction (smoothie). Easy-to-digest solid foods (fresh fruits and some vegetables) can be reintroduced soon after.

4) Cyanocobalamin is indeed a synthetic form of vitamin b12. That said, while the other primary variants — methylcobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin — do occur in nature, virtually all commercially available supplements contain laboratory-synthesized analogues. Nevertheless, for long-term use, the cyanide-based cobalamin is not a advisable in my opinion, especially for individuals with impaired renal function.

Seaweeds, particularly the purple laver-derived “nori,” are perhaps the most reliable source of natural vitamin b12. Other foods one can consider incorporating are fermented foods (e.g., tempeh, miso, kimchi, natto) and organically grown root vegetables such as burdock root, beets, and carrots.

Be Well,
Akin