Vitamin K May Reduce Diabetes Risk

Over the past 10 years, the amount of research being conducted on the effects and potential benefits of vitamin K has greatly increased. As a result, our understanding of the roles that vitamin K plays in the body has greatly increased.

Recent research has shown that vitamin K may provide benefits to bone, heart and prostate health and may help in the prevention of some diseases. Adding to that list of benefits, a new study has found that vitamin K may decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or use insulin properly. Insulin is responsible for converting sugars, starches and other carbohydrates into energy for the body. The specific causes of type 2 diabetes are not entirely known. However, genetics, obesity, and lack of exercise are believed to significantly contribute to its onset.

Diabetes can lead to serious health complications such as heart disease, blindness, kidney failure and amputations. It is estimated that diabetes currently affects 21 million American adults and children, and is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. Both diabetes-related deaths and the onset of the disease have risen significantly in the last decade as the general population becomes more overweight.

Vitamin K has two primary forms: vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and the more bioavailable vitamin K2 (menaquinones). Vitamin K1 makes up about 90% of the western dietary intake of vitamin K. Vitamin K1 is available from dietary sources such as dark leafy greens like spinach, as well as cruciferous vegetables. Vitamin K2 consists of several forms, referred to collectively as menaquinones, and denoted scientifically as "MK-n" where the "n" describes the number of "prenyl groups" attached to the molecule. MK-4 is found in low levels in some types of red meat; MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9 are found in ripened cheese such as brie and blue cheeses.

In the new study, Dutch researchers analyzed data from 38,094 Dutch women and men between 20 and 70 years of age. The participants' dietary intake of vitamin K (phylloquinone and menaquinones) were assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. Over the 10 years of follow-up, 918 people developed type 2 diabetes. When the researchers compared the rate of diabetes to blood levels of vitamin k, they found correlations between levels of both phylloquinone and menaquinones and diabetes risk. Those in the highest quartile of phylloquinone intake had a 19% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, as compared to those in the lowest level. The correlation between menaquinones level and diabetes risk was even greater. The researchers found that for every 10 microgram increase in intake of menaquinones, there was a 7% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes. The researchers concluded that "both phylloquinone and menaquinones intake may be associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes."

Both HerHealth and HisHealth multivitamins contain Vitamin K as menaquinones. Learn more about HerHealth and HisHealth, and our other multivitamins, here.

1. Beulens, J. W., A. D. van der, et al. (2010). "Dietary phylloquinone and menaquinones intake and risk of type 2 diabetes." Diabetes Care.