In clinical studies, vitamin K2 maintains lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), reduces age-related osteoporotic fractures, reduces glucocorticoid-induced osteoporotic vertebral fractures, and maintains lumbar BMD in liver-dysfunction-induced osteoporosis and in paralytics it increases the metacarpal BMD in upper extremities of patients with cerebrovascular disease. Furthermore, the treatment group had 65% fewer fractures. A study (LOE-B) with 241 osteoporotic patients treated with vitamin K2 (45 μgm/day) along with calcium showed that they maintained their bone density, whereas those on calcium and placebo lost 2.5% of their lumbar bone density. This rivals conventional bisphosphonate therapy. A systematic review (level of evidence I ) has shown vitamin K2 to prevent fractures in vertebra by 60%, hip fractures by 77%, and nonvertebral fractures by 81% in Japanese patients. Vitamin K2 (MK-7) from fermented soybeans stimulates osteoblasts and inhibits osteoclasts resulting in an anabolic effect on bone calcification. The lifetime risk of having at least one fracture is reduced by 25% with the daily use of 800 IU vitamin D, 45 μgm vitamin K2, and 1200 mg calcium. Vitamin K2 appears to improve bone quality, which leads to a reduction in fractures however, bone density may not always be affected in some studies. (i) ⁡Synthetic analogue of vitamin K considered a provitamin (ii) Is presently being studied as a potential prostate/hepatocellular cancer therapy and potential treatment for skin toxicities secondary to kinase inhibitor therapy (i) Has been banned by the FDA in the USA because of potential toxicity (ii) Extracted from Nattō (fermented soy) as an OTC supplement (ii) Long chain form with longer half-life (ii) Synthesis by bacteria in the intestinal tract (however, synthesized MK-4 is bound to the membranes of bacteria in the gut and very little is absorbed in humans)

(i) Butter, eggs yolks, lard, and animal based foods (iii) Short chain form with shorter half-life

It is involved in calcium transport, preventing calcium deposition in the lining of blood vessel walls, and helps improve bone density

(ii) Matrix GLa protein (synthesized in cartilage and in blood vessel walls) (i) Green leafy vegetables and some plant oils GLa containing proteins are found in Factors II, VII, IX, and X Serves as a cofactor for carboxylation of protein bound glutamate residues by converting them to carboxy glutamate (GLa).

Vitamin k1 antidote