Can Vitamin K Help Protect Your Arteries from Calcification?
Dr. Kumar’s Take:
Vitamin K, especially in its K2 form, may help slow the hardening of arteries caused by calcium buildup—a process known as vascular calcification. This is especially important for people with chronic kidney disease, diabetes, or heart risk. A recent analysis of 14 randomized trials suggests that taking vitamin K can reduce calcium buildup in the arteries and improve blood markers that signal poor vitamin K status.
Key Takeaways:
✔ Vitamin K supplements slowed the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC).
✔ Vitamin K improved levels of dephospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP), a marker linked to arterial health.
✔ No significant increase in side effects was seen in the vitamin K groups.