Vitamin K: Help for Those with CAC

Friday May 29, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- For those who are already showing signs of hardening of the arteries, there may be a surprisingly easy way to slow the calcification process: vitamin K. A study by the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University is currently being published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Vitamin K is required to activate matrix GLA protein (MGP), which regulates calcium build-up in the circulatory system.

For the study, 388 healthy individuals showing some evidence of coronary artery calcification (CAC) were randomly given K1. Those who took the vitamin averaged a 6% decrease in calcification over those who did not take the vitamin.

Vitamin K expert Professor Cees Vermeer of the University of Maastricht tells nutraingredient.com that “. . . vessel walls have only MGP to defend themselves against calcification.” And in turn, MGP requires only vitamin K for its activation.

Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting; it’s named after the German word “koagulation.” It is found naturally in cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, green leafy vegetables, cereal and soy beans, although supplements tend to be well tolerated by humans.

Although vitamin K deficiency within the population is extremely rare (New York Times Health Guide), additional supplementation of the vitamin may be in order for those just beginning their arduous journey with CAC.

(By Rachel Stockton, and edited by Heather Kelley)