Overview of Health Conditions Vitamin K May Help

Scientists used to think the only known function of vitamin K was its critical role in blood clotting. However, newer studies suggest vitamin K impacts other protein activities as well. These effects could be beneficial in preventing or treating various diseases and conditions.^{(1, 7, 9-10, 22-25)}

These include:

• Acute pancreatitis⁽²⁶⁾
• Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency⁽¹⁹⁾
• Aging nervous system⁽⁴⁾
• Alzheimer's disease^(27-28)
• ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease)^(27-28)
• Anticoagulation therapy with warfarin⁽²⁹⁾
• Arthritis⁽³⁰⁾
• Atherosclerosis⁽³¹⁾
• Bone fractures⁽¹¹⁾
• Bruising⁽³²⁾
• Desmoid tumors⁽³³⁾
• Diabetes⁽³⁴⁾
• Dysmenorrhea^(35-36)
• Heart disease⁽³¹⁾
• Infections, including multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli infections^{(4, 7, 9-10, 37)}
• Kidney transplants⁽³⁸⁾
• Liver cancer^(39-40)
• Lung cancer⁽⁴¹⁾
• Non-hodgkin lymphoma⁽⁴²⁾
• Osteoporosis⁽¹¹⁾
• Pancreatic cancer⁽⁴³⁾
• Parkinson's disease^(27-28)
• Prostate cancer⁽⁴⁴⁾
• Side effects of cancer and multiple sclerosis treatment^(45-46)
• Unhealthy cholesterol levels⁽³¹⁾
• Wrinkles⁽⁴⁷⁾

In fact, some studies suggest that increased vitamin K intake is linked to reduced overall mortality. Results of a clinical trial involving people showed those who ingested more vitamin K had lower risk of death from heart disease, cancer, or any other cause. Study participants were chosen from a population with a high risk of heart disease.⁽⁴⁸⁾