Vitamin K slows vascular calcification, especially in coronary arteries.
Vascular calcification, the hardening of blood vessels due to calcium deposits, is associated with serious health conditions like heart disease and kidney disease. However, evidence suggests that nutritional factors influence the risk of vascular calcification. A recent meta-analysis found that vitamin K reduces the risk of vascular calcification, especially in the coronary arteries.
Researchers analyzed the findings of 14 randomized controlled trials involving more than 1,500 people that examined the effects of vitamin K supplementation on vascular calcification. Of interest were vitamin K’s effects on the calcification of coronary arteries, other blood vessels, and heart valves, as well as vascular stiffness and a protein related to calcification called dp-ucMGP.
Their analysis revealed that vitamin K supplementation markedly slowed the progression of coronary artery calcification and reduced dp-ucMGP levels. They identified no significant differences in adverse events between participants receiving vitamin K versus those not, suggesting that vitamin K supplementation is generally safe.
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These findings suggest that vitamin K may have therapeutic potential in addressing vascular calcification, especially in the coronary arteries. However, the reviewers acknowledged the need for more high-quality, well-designed clinical trials to confirm the benefits and effectiveness of vitamin K therapy for vascular calcification.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Naturally occurring forms of vitamin K include phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and a family of molecules called menaquinones (vitamin K2). Vitamin K1 is synthesized by plants and is the major form found in the diet. Vitamin K2 molecules are synthesized by the gut microbiota and found in fermented foods and some animal products (especially liver). Vitamin K is essential throughout the lifecycle. Learn how vitamin K influences neonatal health in this short video featuring Dr. Rhonda Patrick.