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Review

The Importance of Vitamin K and the Combination of Vitamins K and D for Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health: A Review

by
Jan O. Aaseth
1,2,*,
Trine Elisabeth Finnes
3,4,
Merete Askim
5 and
Jan Alexander
6
1
Department of Research, Innlandet Hospital Trust, P.O. Box 104, N-2381 Brumunddal, Norway
2
Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, N-2418 Elverum, Norway
3
Department of Medicine, Innlandet Hospital Hamar, P.O. Box 4453, N-2326 Hamar, Norway
4
Department of Endocrinology, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway
5
Independent Researcher, Bromstadvegen 43, N-7045 Trondheim, Norway
6
Norwegian Institute of Public Health, P.O. Box 222 Skøyen, N-0213 Oslo, Norway
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2024, 16(15), 2420; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152420
Submission received: 8 June 2024 / Revised: 16 July 2024 / Accepted: 23 July 2024 / Published: 25 July 2024
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Impact of Food Fortification on Health and Nutrition Outcomes)

Abstract

The aim of the present review is to discuss the roles of vitamin K (phylloquinone or menaquinones) and vitamin K-dependent proteins, and the combined action of the vitamins K and D, for the maintenance of bone health. The most relevant vitamin K-dependent proteins in this respect are osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein (MGP). When carboxylated, these proteins appear to have the ability to chelate and import calcium from the blood to the bone, thereby reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Carboxylated osteocalcin appears to contribute directly to bone quality and strength. An adequate vitamin K status is required for the carboxylation of MGP and osteocalcin. In addition, vitamin K acts on bone metabolism by other mechanisms, such as menaquinone 4 acting as a ligand for the nuclear steroid and xenobiotic receptor (SXR). In this narrative review, we examine the evidence for increased bone mineralization through the dietary adequacy of vitamin K. Summarizing the evidence for a synergistic effect of vitamin K and vitamin D3, we find that an adequate supply of vitamin K, on top of an optimal vitamin D status, seems to add to the benefit of maintaining bone health. More research related to synergism and the possible mechanisms of vitamins D3 and K interaction in bone health is needed.
Keywords: vitamin K; osteocalcin; matrix Gla protein; osteoporosis; vascular calcification; bone loss vitamin K; osteocalcin; matrix Gla protein; osteoporosis; vascular calcification; bone loss

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MDPI and ACS Style

Aaseth, J.O.; Finnes, T.E.; Askim, M.; Alexander, J. The Importance of Vitamin K and the Combination of Vitamins K and D for Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health: A Review. Nutrients 2024, 16, 2420. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152420

AMA Style

Aaseth JO, Finnes TE, Askim M, Alexander J. The Importance of Vitamin K and the Combination of Vitamins K and D for Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health: A Review. Nutrients. 2024; 16(15):2420. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152420

Chicago/Turabian Style

Aaseth, Jan O., Trine Elisabeth Finnes, Merete Askim, and Jan Alexander. 2024. "The Importance of Vitamin K and the Combination of Vitamins K and D for Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health: A Review" Nutrients 16, no. 15: 2420. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152420

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