Vitamin K Doesnt Prevent Osteoporosis

MADISON, Wis.—–Recent study results did not support a role for vitamin K supplementation in osteoporosis prevention among healthy, postmenopausal, North American women receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation (J Bone Min Res. 2009;24:983-991) (DOI:10.1359/jbmr.081254). Researchers evaluated the impact of phylloquinone or menatetrenone (MK4) treatment on markers of skeletal turnover and bone mineral density (BMD) in nonosteoporotic, postmenopausal, North American women. In the double blind, placebo-controlled study, 381 postmenopausal women received phylloquinone (1 mg/d), MK4 (45 mg/d) or placebo for 12 months. All participants received daily calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation. At baseline, the three treatment groups did not differ in demographics or study endpoints. Compliance with calcium, phylloquinone and MK4 treatment was 93 percent, 93 percent and 87 percent, respectively. Phylloquinone and MK4 treatment reduced serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin but did not alter bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSALP) or n-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTX). No effect of phylloquinone or MK4 on lumbar spine or proximal femur BMD or proximal femur geometric parameters was observed.