Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in blood coagulation, bone metabolism, and vascular health. Vitamin K1 is found in many leafy greens and soy, while vitamin K2 is found in meat and fermented foods and is synthesized by intestinal bacteria. Supplementation with vitamin K improves markers of bone health, and vitamin K is administered to newborns to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding.

Quick Answer

What it is

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in blood coagulation, bone metabolism, and vascular health. Vitamin K1 is found in many leafy greens and soy, while vitamin K2 is found in meat and fermented foods and is synthesized by intestinal bacteria.

Key findings

  • Grade B: Bone Mineral Density (Bone Health)
  • Grade B: Cancer Mortality (Liver Cancer)
  • Grade D: Calcium Score (Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD))

Safety

No specific caution or interaction language was detected in the current summary/outcome notes.

ℹ️ Quick Facts: Vitamin K

Quick Facts: Vitamin K

  • Best Evidence:Grade B
  • Conditions Studied:12
  • Research Outcomes:78
  • Grade B Findings:4
  • Key Effect:Bone Health
Outcomes by grade:
A0
B4
C0
D8
12 conditions Β· 78 outcomes

Detailed Outcomes

Grade:
Effect:
Size:
Sort:
|
B
Bone Mineral Density
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
D
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
No effect
1 study
none
?
Fracture Risk
↑Worsens
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
1 study
↓Improves
?
Osteoprotegerin
1 study
↑Improves
B
Bone Mineral Density
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
?
Fracture Risk
↑Worsens
?
Estrogen
↑Worsens
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
B
Cancer Mortality
Small Improvement
9 studies
small↓Improves
?
Liver Cancer Risk
↑Worsens
B
Bone Mineral Density
Moderate Improvement
moderate↑Improves
?
Estrogen
↑Worsens
?
Food Intake
1 study
↑Worsens
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
1 study
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
1 study
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
1 study
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
1 study
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
D
Calcium Score
No effect
4 studies
none
?
Osteocalcin
↑Improves
?
Pulse Wave Velocity
3 studies
↓Improves
D
Bruising
No effect
none
?
Erythema
↑Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
3 studies
none
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Leptin
2 studies
↑Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
3 studies
none
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
3 studies
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
3 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Interleukin 6
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Leptin
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
2 studies
↓Improves
D
Blood Pressure
No effect
none
?
Calcium Score
4 studies
↑Improves
?
Osteocalcin
↑Improves
?
Pulse Wave Velocity
3 studies
↓Improves
?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)
2 studies
↑Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Total cholesterol
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
2 studies
↓Improves
D
Adiponectin
No effect
1 study
none
?
Total cholesterol
9 studies
↓Improves
?
Blood glucose
↓Improves
?
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)
8 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin Resistance
↓Improves
?
Triglycerides
7 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Mass Index (BMI)
6 studies
↓Improves
?
Insulin
↑Worsens
?
Blood Pressure
↓Improves
?
Weight
↓Improves
?
HbA1c
3 studies
↓Improves
?
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Interleukin 6
2 studies
↓Improves
?
Body Fat
1 study
↓Improves
?
Glycemic Control
1 study
↑Improves
?
Osteoprotegerin
1 study
↑Improves
?
Waist circumference
1 study
↓Improves
D
Bruising
No effect
none
?
Erythema
↑Improves
?
Bone Mineral Density
↑Improves
?
Erythema
↑Improves

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