Can Vitamin K Lower Cholesterol?

Results of population and clinical studies suggest that vitamin K2 may help lower cholesterol levels in some people:

• In a clinical study, vitamin K2 reduced serum cholesterol in dialysis patients with elevated cholesterol levels.⁽¹⁾
• Post-menopausal women given low doses of Vitamin K2 for a 4-week period had significant decreases in both HDL and LDL cholesterol levels — while the placebo group did not. Vitamin K2 also lowered blood pressure. This was a randomized, controlled clinical trial.⁽⁵⁾
• A 10 year study showed a link between the highest level of vitamin K2 in the diet and lower triglyceride levels. Researchers suggest this is why they also found a lower rate of metabolic syndrome with higher intake of vitamin K2.⁽⁹⁹⁾

In certain populations, vitamin K deficiency has also been linked to higher levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.⁽¹⁰⁰⁾