Can Vitamin K Slow Artery Hardening? A Fresh Look at the Evidence

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

This systematic review looked at whether vitamin K supplements can slow down the hardening of arteries—a process called vascular calcification. The study found that vitamin K, especially K2 (menaquinone), may help reduce the buildup of calcium in the coronary arteries and improve levels of a key blood protein called dp-ucMGP. While not all studies showed benefits, the overall data suggest vitamin K might be a safe and simple strategy to support vascular health, particularly in people at high risk for heart disease or kidney issues.

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Can Vitamin K2 Protect Your Heart? A Large Study Suggests Yes

Dr. Kumar’s Take:

This large Dutch study found that higher dietary intake of vitamin K2—not K1—was associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women. The benefit was strongest for the longer-chain forms of vitamin K2 (MK-7, MK-8, and MK-9), which are mainly found in fermented foods and certain cheeses. If you’re focused on heart health, incorporating K2-rich foods or considering supplementation may be worth discussing with your doctor.

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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.

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