Abstract
Vitamin K2 activates vitamin K-dependent proteins that support many biological functions, such as bone mineralization, the inhibition of vascular stiffness, the improvement of endothelial function, the maintenance of strong teeth, brain development, joint health, and optimal body weight. Due to the transformation of food habits in developed countries over the last five decades, vitamin K and, specifically, vitamin K2 intakes among parents and their offspring have decreased significantly, resulting in serious health implications. The therapeutics used in pediatric practice (antibiotics and glucocorticoids) are also to blame for this situation. Low vitamin K status is much more frequent in newborns, due to both endogenous and exogenous insufficiencies. Just after birth vitamin K stores are low, and since human milk is relatively poor in this nutrient, breast-fed infants are at particular risk of a bleeding disorder called vitamin K deficiency bleeding. A pilot study showed that better vitamin K status is associated with lower rate of low-energy fracture incidence. An ongoing clinical trial is intended to address whether vitamin K2 and D3 supplementation might positively impact the biological process of bone healing. Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) has a documented history of safe and effective use. The lack of adverse effects of MK-7 makes it the ideal choice for supplementation by pregnant and nursing women and children, both healthy and suffering from various malabsorptions and health disorders, such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, thalassemia major (TM), cystic fibrosis (CF), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and chronic liver diseases. Additionally, worthy of consideration is the use of vitamin K2 in obesity-related health outcomes.
Highlights
Vitamin K1 and K2 are fat-soluble vitamins
We evaluated clinical trials that examined the role of vitamin K2 for children’s health and whether vitamin K2 supplementation influences markers of bone disease such as bone mineral density
One can notice that MK-7 is already mentioned as a form of vitamin K
Summary
Vitamin K1 and K2 are fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamin K1 is found mainly in leafy green vegetables. A traditional Japanese dish called “natto,” consisting of fermented soybeans, holds the highest content of K2, MK-7 Both vitamins K1 and K2 act as essential cofactors for the enzyme gammaglutamylcarboxylase (GGCX) and in the carboxylation process of vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) [1,2,3]. Vitamin K2 serves as a mitochondrial electron carrier, helping to maintain normal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production [8]. MK-4: Low. High dosages (mg) are needed to improve vitamin K status MK-7: High. Activation of VKDPs (hepatic and extra hepatic) Antioxidant Anti-inflammatory effects Transcriptional regulator Mitochondrial electron carrier, helping to maintain normal ATP levels. The procedures by which vitamin K2 levels can be assessed call for standardization, and an RDI for vitamin K2 based on current research needs to be established and accepted worldwide. We evaluated clinical trials that examined the role of vitamin K2 for children’s health and whether vitamin K2 supplementation influences markers of bone disease such as bone mineral density
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