Final answer:
Prolonged use of antibiotics can lead to a deficiency of vitamin K due to its impact on the natural gut flora. Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting, and a deficiency can result in increased bleeding.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prolonged use of antibiotics can cause a deficiency of vitamin K due to the impact it has on the natural gut flora. Antibiotics not only kill harmful bacteria but also the beneficial ones that produce vitamin K in the intestine. Without these bacteria, the production of vitamin K is reduced, leading to a deficiency.
Vitamin K is essential for the formation of prothrombin, a blood plasma protein required for blood clotting. Therefore, a deficiency in vitamin K can result in increased bleeding and impaired clotting. It is important to maintain a healthy gut flora and consume foods rich in vitamin K to prevent deficiency.