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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #219152
Title: Effect of Vitamin K Supplementation on Bone Loss in Elderly Men and Women

Author
item Booth, Sarah
item Dallal, Gerald
item SHEA, KYLA - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item GUNDBERG, CAREN - YALE UNIVERSITY
item PETERSON, JAMES - JM USDA HNRCA @ TUFTS
item Dawson-Hughes, Bess

Submitted to: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/25/2008
Publication Date: 4/1/2008
Citation: Booth SL, Dallal G, Shea MK, Gundberg C, Peterson JW, Dawson-Hughes B. 2008. Effect of vitamin K supplementation on bone loss in elderly men and women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 93:1217-1223.

Interpretive Summary: Phylloquinone is the primary form of vitamin K in the American diet. Observational studies indicate that a low intake of vitamin K is linked to age-related bone loss and hip fracture. However, foods rich in vitamin K such as green, leafy vegetables also contain other nutrients and phytochemicals that have been associated with bone health. To isolate the effect of vitamin K on age-related bone loss, 452 men and women between 60-80 years old were enrolled in a 3 year randomized clinical trial in which half of the men and women received phylloquinone in amounts that can be attained in the diet whereas the other half did not receive supplemental phylloquinone. All participants also received a daily calcium and vitamin D supplement in amounts known to reduce age-related bone loss. After 3 years, there was no difference in bone mineral density at either the hip or the spine between those men and women who received the phylloquinone and those who did not. The data from this study suggests that supplemental vitamin K in amounts that can be attained in the diet does not have a beneficial effect on overall bone health in elderly men and women who are already taking calcium and vitamin D.

Technical Abstract: Introduction: Vitamin K has been implicated in bone health, primarily in observational studies. However, little is known about the role of phylloquinone supplementation on prevention of bone loss in men and women. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of three-year phylloquinone supplementation on change in bone mineral density of the femoral neck bone in older men and women who were calcium and vitamin D-replete. Methods: In this three year, double-blind, controlled trial, 452 men and women (60-80 y) were randomized equally to receive a multivitamin that contained either 500 ug/d or no phylloquinone, plus a daily calcium (600 mg elemental calcium) and vitamin D (400 IU) supplement. Measurements of the femoral neck, spine, and total body bone mineral density, bone turnover and vitamins K and D status were measured every six to twelve months. Intent-to-treat analysis was used to compare change in measures in 401 participants who completed the trial. Results: There were no differences in changes in bone mineral density measurements at any of the anatomical sites measured between the two groups. The group that received the phylloquinone supplement had significantly higher phylloquinone and significantly lower % undercarboxylated osteocalcin concentrations compared to the group that did not receive phylloquinone. No other biochemical measures differed between the two groups. Conclusions: Phylloquinone supplementation in a dose attainable in the diet does not confer any additional benefit for bone health at the spine or hip when taken with recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D.