Update on the role of vitamin K in skeletal health.
Authors:
Shea, Kyla M. Booth, Sarah L. USDA, ARS
Source:
Nutrition reviews. 2008 Oct., v. 66, no. 10, p. 549-557.
NALT Subjects:
humans vitamin K literature reviews bones bone strength skeleton bone fractures bone density vitamin supplements clinical trials vegetables food intake legumes mechanism of action dosage menaquinones spine
Issue Date:
Oct-2008
Abstract:
A protective role for vitamin K in bone health has been suggested based on its role as an enzymatic cofactor. In observational studies, vitamin K insufficiency is generally associated with lower bone mass and increased hip fracture risk. However, these findings are not supported in randomized controlled trials (RCT) of phylloquinone (vitamin K1) supplementation and bone loss at the hip in the elderly. This suggests that increased vegetable and legume intakes may simultaneously improve measures of vitamin K status and skeletal health, even though the mechanisms underlying these improvements may be independent of each other. Menaquinone-4 (vitamin K2), when given at pharmacological doses, appears to protect against fracture risk and bone loss at the spine. However, there are emerging data that suggest the efficacy of vitamin K supplementation on bone loss is inconclusive.
