Research Summary
Vitamin K is an important fat-soluble vitamin that naturally occurs in two forms: vitamin K1 (phylloquinone, PK) and vitamin K2 (menaquinones, MKs). It plays a crucial role in blood clotting, as it is necessary for the synthesis of blood clotting proteins in the liver. Although vitamin K deficiency is rare, certain groups, such as the elderly and individuals with intestinal absorption impairments, may struggle to obtain adequate levels of this vitamin.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in the influence of vitamin K on human health beyond its role in clotting. Several studies suggest that chronic subclinical deficiency of vitamin K may be a risk factor for various diseases, including osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, insulin resistance, neurodegenerative diseases, and others. The aim of this review is to clarify the role of vitamin K in preventing and treating different aspects of human diseases.
Keywords: Vitamin K, Sources of vitamin K, Pharmacokinetics of vitamin K, Safety and toxicity of vitamin K.
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