Vitamin K May Protect Against Fractures, Cancers

TORONTO—Vitamin K does not protect against age-related decreasing bone density, but may protect against fractures and cancers in postmenopausal women, according to a study published in the Oct. 14 edition of PLoS Medicine.
Angela Cheung, M.D., the lead author of the study, cautioned that although the clinical trial observations on fractures and cancers are “intriguing,” they are based on small numbers, and larger studies are needed to confirm the effects of vitamin K on them.
A total of 440 postmenopausal women with osteopenia or low bone density that precedes osteoporosis, were given either 5 mg/d of vitamin K1 or a placebo for two years, with 261 subjects continuing up to four years. Bone density scans after two and four years revealed there were no differences in bone density between the two groups of women, and that bone density had decreased by similar amounts in both groups. However, over the four-year period, fewer women in the vitamin K group had fractures compared to the placebo (9 and 20, respectively) and fewer had cancer (3 and12 respectively).
The scientists concluded a daily high-dose of vitamin K provides no protection against the age-related decline in bone density in postmenopausal women, and that it cannot be recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis
“Women should continue to take adequate calcium, vitamin D, exercise and eat a healthy balanced diet,” said Dr. Cheung, adding while the observations on decreased fractures and cancers are promising, “it is too early to advocate a change in medical practice based on this study.”

Source:
NewsWise: Vitamin K Does Not Prevent Bone Density Loss, but May Prevent Fractures and Cancers