Studies Show Vitamin K May Help Prevent Damaging Effects of Osteoporosis - Lower The Risk of Hip Fractures In Women

Vitamin K
In 1935 a scientist in Copenhagen observed that newly hatched chickens receiving a diet containing all of the known essential nutrients were developing a bleeding disorder. He soon discovered that the chicks were deficient in a nutrient that is crucial for normal blood clotting. He called this nutrient Vitamin K. Today, this vitamin deficiency is rare, except in infants, for whom such a deficiency can be fatal.

A Scientifically Advanced Multivitamin & Multimineral For Infants & Toddlers

The best sources are liver, green leafy vegetables and members of the cabbage family. Since this vitamin is also produced by bacteria in the intestines, humans are not dependent upon diet for this nutrient.

Vitamin K plays a role in the function of several proteins that regulate the blood's ability to clot. When the clotting mechanism is disrupted by medications like antibiotics, salicylates (aspirin) or excessive doses of oral anticoagulants (warfarin), this vitamin can be given to help correct the situation.

Studies have indicated that Vitamin K may help prevent some of the damaging effects that can occur with osteoporosis. Individuals who were given this specific vitamin or consumed more of this nutrient in their diets had beneficial effects on maintaining their bone mineral density.

Other studies have shown a decrease in bone fractures in people using vitamin K. One study evaluated the diets of over 72,000 women ranging in age from 38 to 63 years. This research found that the women who consumed greater amounts of this vitamin in their diets had a lower risk of hip fracture than the women who consumed lower amounts of vitamin K in their diets.

Evidence has been found linking vitamin K status to atherosclerosis. Postmenopausal women with blood vessel calcifications in their aorta had lower amounts of vitamin K in their bodies. Research continues to determine if this vitamin can help prevent atherosclerosis.

A recent studies have indicated that vitamin K supplementation may have a beneficial effect in preventing or treating Alzheimer's disease.