Vitamin K is a soluble vitamin that is made of multiple similar structures. Dietary vitamin k has two distinct forms. The primary type of vitamin K is called phylloquinone, which can be found in leafy vegetables like collard, kale, and spinach. The other type is menaquinones or vitamin K2, which is found in fermented and animal-source foods. According to a report, people with a high vitamin K1 had a lower likelihood of developing vascular and cardiovascular diseases. In comparison, vitamin K2 reduces the risk of all types of cardiovascular diseases related to atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease.
Bacteria in the human body can also produce menaquinones or vitamin K2. Vitamin K is present throughout the human body, including the liver, brain, heart, pancreas, and bones. Because it is broken down and expelled through urine or stools, it rarely reaches hazardous amounts in the body. Vitamin K is essential to help the blood clot and stop excessive bleeding. Unlike other vitamins, vitamin K is not used as a dietary supplement. Vitamin K2 plays a significant role in vascular and cardiovascular health by controlling calcium homeostasis.
Effects of Vitamin K
Vitamin K deficiency is a common condition that raises the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporotic fractures. However, consuming Vitamin K or K2 may lessen arterial stiffness, delay the calcification of the arteries and valves, reduce the prevalence of diabetes and coronary artery disease, and lower cardiovascular mortality. Increased vascular calcifications are linked to low vitamin K levels in the body. In this case, Vitamin K supplements are important for treatment.
The formation of coagulation factors was long thought to be the only function of vitamin K. (i.e., maintaining hemostasis). However, vitamin K functions as a cofactor to control the body’s anti-calcification and bone-forming processes, as these processes require vitamin K to be produced. Low vitamin K levels hinder osteocalcin activation and reduce osteoblast activity (cells essential for building bone).
The activation of a protein known as ‘Matrix Gla protein’ (MGP), an anti-calcific protein, mediates the effects of vitamin K on the vascular system. This inactive protein is linked to several cardiovascular disease markers, such as elevated arterial stiffness, vascular and valvular calcification, insulin resistance, and heart failure indices, all of which ultimately lead to increased cardiovascular mortality. Vascular and cardiovascular death remains a leading cause of death. However, taking Vitamin K can reduce this cause.
