Vitamin K: The Panacea for Heart Disease

Over a 23-year period, researchers evaluated data from over 50,000 participants who took part in the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health study. The aim of which was to see if people who ate more vitamin K-rich foods had a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease caused by atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in the arteries). 

The study found that people with the highest intakes of vitamin K1 were 21 per cent less likely to be hospitalized with cardiovascular disease related to atherosclerosis. 

For vitamin K2, the risk of being hospitalized was 14 per cent lower. 

These 2 derivatives of Vitamin K Come from 2 different Sources. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is predominantly found in green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils, while Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone) is found in meat, eggs, and fermented foods such as cheese. 

The study also found that the advantages for individuals suffering from atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular disease (conditions affecting the heart or blood vessels) were extensively recognized. This reduced risk was evident for all forms of atherosclerosis-related heart disease, notably peripheral artery disease (34 per cent less risk). 

The findings of this study were published in the “Journal of the American Heart Association” 

However, as there are various forms of Vitamin K present in Nature that react differently with the human body the findings of this study are only exclusive for the ones mentioned above are tentative for others. 

When asked about the future focus of research ECU researcher and senior author on the study Dr Nicola Bondonno said that "The next phase of the research will involve developing and improving databases on the vitamin K2 content of foods. More research into the different dietary sources and effects of different types of vitamin K2 is a priority".

This new study sheds light on the importance that various vitamins have on our bodies and how essential it is to stay on a balanced diet. It also gives a comprehensive understanding of how different elements of the world affect our bodies in different ways.