The Effect of Vitamin K on Cardiovascular Health: Recent Current Approaches

Abstract

Vitamin K is found in two forms in nature, phylliquinone and menaquinone. The most known biochemical role of vitamin K is the coenzym for gamma (γ-) glutamyl carboxylase enzyme. The most known function of vitamin K is the effect on hepatic blood coagulation factors synthesis. In recent years it has been reported that vitamin K is also effective in the prevention and treatment of vascular diseases besides blood coagulation. Studies have indicated that insufficient or low intake of vitamin K may be associated with arterial calcification. It is known that the use of warfarin-like oral anticoagulants reduces the risk of arterial thrombosis by reducing the synthesis of coagulation factors. In recent studies, it is stated that the use of anticoagulant may cause arterial calcifications in association with vitamin K. In this review article, vitamin K is discussed in relation to cardiovascular diseases, arterial calcification and drug interactions.