Amazing Vitamin K By Jack Challem, The Nutrition Reporter

Transcription

1 Amazing Vitamin K By Jack Challem, The Nutrition Reporter For many years, vitamin K was pretty much the Rodney Dangerfield of vitamins. It just didn t get any respect. Most doctors and dietitians figured the body didn t need much vitamin K. After all, the official government recommendation is for a scant 90 mcg daily. And its only biological role seemed to be in promoting blood clotting. But recent research has shown broad and impressive health benefits from vitamin K supplements in strengthening bones, preventing and reversing osteoporosis, reducing the risk of diabetes, lowering the risk of some types of heart disease, and possibly preventing cancer. Vitamin K is turning out to be a big vitamin. HISTORY AND BASIC FUNCTIONS OF VITAMIN K Vitamin K was discovered in the early 1930s by Henrik Dams, Ph.D., a Danish researcher who recognized its role in normal blood coagulation. He called it the koagulationsvitamin, and the K designation stuck. A few years later, Edward Doisy, Ph.D., an American researcher, delineated the chemical structure of vitamin K, and both he and Dam shared the 1943 Nobel prize in medicine for their work. Most of vitamin K s benefits derive from its role in making several key proteins, including osteocalcin, which is needed for strong bones. More technically, vitamin K promotes the carboxylation of glutamic acid. To explain, carboxylation adds what chemists call a carboxyl group (COOH, containing one carbon, two oxygen, and one hydrogen atom) to glutamic acid, a necessary step in the creation of several proteins. Without carboxylation, these proteins cannot do their jobs. HEALTH BENEFITS OF VITAMIN K Bone Health. Rather than being pure calcium, bone actually consists of a matrix of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and protein. Production of one of the key proteins, osteocalcin, depends on Vitamin K. Numerous studies have shown that low intake of vitamin K interferes with normal bone development and increases the risk of broken bones and osteoporosis. In recent years, both Dutch and Japanese researchers have used large amounts of vitamin K2 daily to treat and reverse osteoporosis in women. Nearly all of these studies used 45 mg (not mcg) daily of the MK- 4 form of vitamin K. (See related article explaining MK-4 and other forms of vitamin K.)

2 In one of the studies, Dutch researchers asked 325 postmenopausal women to take either 45 mg of vitamin K2 or placebos daily for three years. Bone density improved among women taking vitamin K2, but decreased among those taking placebos. An analysis of seven studies, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that high-dose vitamin K2 supplements consistently reduced bone fractures in women by more than 60 percent. Vitamin K also reduces bone loss caused by cortisone, blood-thinning drugs, menopause, diabetes, and other health issues. In a number of studies, the bone-building benefits of vitamin K were enhanced with the addition of vitamin D supplements. Cardiovascular. Increasing research suggests that vitamin K is an important nutrient for cardiovascular health apart from its role in blood clotting. Calcium deposits in the walls of blood vessels can lead to arterial calcification, which contributes to hardening of the arteries. The body needs vitamin K to make matrix Gla protein, or MGP, and animal studies suggest that MGP helps direct calcium to bone instead of to arteries. In an animal study, researchers found that both vitamin K1 and K2 reduced arterial calcification by about 50 percent. Some physicians, such as cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, M.D., recommends 150 mcg of the MK-7 form of vitamin K to prevent or reverse arterial calcification. Vitamin K might also protect against varicose veins, based on a study that found low MGP (and thus low vitamin K) activity was related to the formation of varicose veins. Blood sugar. The newest frontier for vitamin K may be in preventing or reversing type 2 diabetes. In August 2007, researchers from Columbia University, in New York City, reported their discovery that the bone protein osteocalcin also functions as a hormone. Osteocalcin regulates the number of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, the secretion of insulin, sensitivity to insulin, and the size of fat cells. Of course, vitamin K is needed to make osteocalcin. Other research also supports the role of vitamin K, through osteocalcin, in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Studies of young men in Japan found that low vitamin K levels were associated with poor insulin function, one of the signs of prediabetes. Vitamin K2 supplements improved insulin function in response to a glucose-tolerance test.

3 A further link between glucose tolerance and vitamin K was identified earlier this year by researchers at Tufts University, Boston. The researchers investigated the relationship between vitamin K1 intake and glucose tolerance in 2,719 men and women. Higher intake of vitamin K1 was associated with better glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity after glucose-tolerance tests. Cancer. Some research suggests that vitamin K may help reduce the risk of cancer. An eight-year study of eating habits found that men who consumed the most vitamin K2 from food had a 63 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Vitamin K1 did not provide similar protection. The most dramatic study found that vitamin K2 significantly reduced the risk of developing liver cancer. Japanese researchers treated 21 women with viral liver cirrhosis, giving them 45 mg of vitamin K2 daily for eight years. Vitamin K had two significiant benefits. First, it reduced bone loss in the women, compared with a group of 19 women who did not take vitamin K supplements. Second, only two of the 21 women receiving vitamin K developed liver cancer. In contrast, almost half of the women not taking vitamin K supplements developed liver cancer. INTERACTIONS BETWEEN COUMADIN AND VITAMIN K Doctors frequently prescribe Coumadin and other blood-thinning drugs to people who have had a heart attack or stroke or have had an artificial heart valve inserted. More than 2 million people in the United States currently take Coumadin, and more than 300,000 new prescriptions are written for the drug each year, according to a pharmaceutical industry report. Coumadin and related anti-coagulant drugs interfere with vitamin K to reduce the risk of blood clots. By doing so, however, Coumadin reduces carboxylation of osteocalcin and MGP. Because of how Coumadin affects vitamin K and osteocalcin, the drug increases the risk of bone fractures. It also increases calcification of the arteries and could potentially increase the risk of diabetes. Typically, physicians ask patients taking Coumadin to minimize their intake of vitamin K-containing foods and to avoid vitamin K supplements. Is there a compromise? In a recent study, published in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, researchers gave vitamin K1 supplements (100 mcg daily) to patients and also increased their Coumadin dosage. They found that vitamin K levels were actually more stable and predictable with the supplements, so the drug dose could also remain consistent.

4 This is very important: If you take Coumadin, ask your physician if he can prescribe an anti-coagulant that does not interfere with vitamin K activity. If he cannot switch you to another anti-coagulant drug (that does not target vitamin K), ask him if you can safely take a low-dose (100 mcg) vitamin K supplement. If you are taking anti-coagulants, do not take vitamin K without your doctor s approval. SO, HOW MUCH VITAMIN K SHOULD YOU TAKE? You can maintain optimal intake of vitamin K through diet or supplements or both. Leafy green vegetables are a rich source of vitamin K1. Cheese is a good source of the MK-4 form of vitamin K. Fermented soybeans, particularly natto, is rich in the MK-7 form of vitamin K. (Read further to understand the different forms of vitamin K.) If you opt for supplements, decide on whether your objective is general health maintenance or part of a more aggressive prevention or self-care regimen. Large amounts of vitamin K1 about 1,000 mcg (1 milligram) daily do seem to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Vitamin K2, at daily doses of 5 mg (5,000 mcg) may do a better job in terms of preventing osteoporosis and fracture. Meanwhile, taking 45 mg daily of the MK-4 form of vitamin K2 is very effective in reversing osteoporosis. Finally, although human studies on the MK-7 form of vitamin K2 are currently limited, modest amounts 150 mcg daily may also help strengthen bones and prevent arterial calcification. FINALLY, UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF VITAMIN K Researchers have identified three main forms of vitamin K: Vitamin K1, vitamin K2, and vitamin K3. Furthermore, there are two principal forms of vitamin K2. Each has slight differences in chemical structure, but all seem to be used by the body. Vitamin K3 is not used in supplements for people, so the important forms are vitamins K1 and K2. Vitamin K1. Known also as phylloquinone, Vitamin K1 is naturally found in leafy green vegetables, such as dark lettuce varieties, spinach, kale, and broccoli. It promotes normal blood coagulation and bone strength. It s available as a supplement, but does not appear to be as potent as vitamin K2.

5 Vitamin K2 occurs in several forms, but two appear to have the most biological activity: MK-4 (menatetrenone-4) and MK-7 (menaquinone-7). Both forms seem to have advantages, but in different ways. The MK-4 form of vitamin K is naturally found in egg yolk, egg mayonnaise, chicken thighs, and dairy products. Substantial research shows that very high doses (45,000 mcg, or 45 mg daily) of the MK-4 form of vitamin K2 can prevent and reverse osteoporosis. The MK-7 form of vitamin K is naturally found in natto, a type of fermented soybean food. One ounce of natto provides about 250 mcg of MK-7. The MK-7 form of vitamin K absorbed much better than vitamin K1. Most supplement recommendations for this form are in the range of 100 to 150 mcg daily. Unfortunately, human studies have not yet directly compared the health benefits or therapeutic effects of MK-4 and MK-7, so no one knows how large amounts of MK-4 might compare with small about of MK-7. As a result, there are still many unknowns when it comes to choosing between them. Several studies examining the benefits of MK-7 in people are currently underway in Europe, and the results should be released over the next one to three years. In the mean time, use your best judgment as a consumer to purchase the type of vitamin K that s best for you. This article originally appeared in Health Hotline. Read more about Health Hotline at Copyright 2011 by Jack Challem. You may print this article for personal use. However, for commercial reproduction, you must obtain written permission from either Vitamin Cottage or Jack Challem. SELECTED REFERENCES: Knapen MH, Schurgers LJ, Vermeer C. Vitamin K(2) supplementation improves hip bone geometry and bone strength indices in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis International, 2007; 18: Yasui T, Miyatani Y, Tomita J, et al. Effect of vitamin K2 treatment on carboxylation of osteocalcin in earlypostmenopausal women. Gynecological Endocrinology, 2006;22: Cockayne S, Adamson J, Lanham-New S, et al. Vitamin K and the prevention of fractures: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2006;166: Yasui T, Miyatani Y, Tomita J, et al. Effect of vitamin K2 treatment on carboxylation of osteocalcin in earlypostmenopausal women. Gynecological Endocrinology, 2006;22: Braam LA, Knapen MH, Geusens P, et al. Vitamin K1 supplementation retards bone loss in postmenopausal women between 50 and 60 years of age. Calcif Tissue Int, 2003;73: Schurgers LJ, Spronk HMH, Soute BAM, et al. Regression of warfarin-induced medial elastocalcinosis by high intake of vitamin K in rats. Blood, 2007;109:

6 Cario-Toumaniantz C, Boularan C, Schurgers LJ, et al. Identification of differentially expressed genes in human varicose veins: involvement of matrix gla protein in extracellular matrix remodeling. Journal of Vascular Research, 2007;44: Lee NK, Sowa H, Hinoi E, et al. Endocrine regulation of energy metabolism by the skeleton. Cell, 2007;130: Kassi E, Papavassiliou AG. A possible role of osteocalcin in the regulation of insulin secretion: human in vivo evidence? Journal of Endocrinology, July 21, 2008; epub ahead of print. Yoshida M, Yoshida M, Booth SL, et al. Phylloquinone intake, insulin sensitivity, and glycemic status in men and women. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2008; 88: Habu D, Shiomi S, Tamori A, et al. Role of vitamin K2 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in women with viral cirrhosis of the liver. JAMA, 2004;292: Rejnmark R, Vestergaard P, Mosekilde L. Fracture risk in users of oral anticoagulants: a national case-control study. International Journal of Cardiology, 2007;118: Gage BF, Birman-Deych E, Radford MJ, et al. Risk of osteoporotic fracture in elderly patients taking warfarin: results from the National Registry of Atrial Fibrillation 2. Archives of Internal Medicine, 2006;166(2): Rombouts, EK; Rosendaal, FR; Van der Meer, FJM. Daily vitamin K supplementation improves anticoagulant stability. Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 2007; 5: Braam LA, Knapen MH, Geusens P, et al. Vitamin K1 supplementation retards bone loss in postmenopausal women between 50 and 60 years of age. Calcif Tissue Int, 2003;73: Kamao M. Suhara Y, Tsugawa N, et al. Vitamin K content of foods and dietary vitamin K intake in Japanese young women. Journal of Nutrition Science and Vitaminology, 2007;53: