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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #145960
Title: VITAMIN K, ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS AND BONE HEALTH

Author
item BOOTH, SARAH - HNRCA
item CHARETTE, ANNE - HNRCA

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/9/2002
Publication Date: 2/1/2004
Citation: BOOTH, S.L., CHARETTE, A.M. VITAMIN K, ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS AND BONE HEALTH. IN: HOLICK M.F., DAWSON-HUGHES B. EDS. NUTRITION AND BONE HEALTH. TOTOWA, NJ: HUMANA PRESS, 2004: 457-478.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that may have a protective role against age-related bone loss. It is assumed that any putative role of vitamin K in bone health is mediated through the gamma-carboxylation of the vitamin K-dependent proteins present in bone, although other mechanisms of action have been implicated based on in vitro studies. Furthermore, a potential synergistic effect of vitamins D and K on bone has been suggested based on animal and human studies. Much of the evidence in humans is derived from observational studies, the results of which may be confounded by overall poor nutrition. Dietary vitamin K intakes are lower than previously assumed but in the absence of sufficient data in which to establish an average requirement, optimal intakes of vitamin K have yet to be defined. Evaluation of studies among patients on long-term use of oral anticoagulants has not resulted in a consensus regarding the role of vitamin K antagonism and fracture risk, although to date, no study has reported a statistically significant association between chronic warfarin use and risk of hip fracture. The majority of clinical trials reporting a positive effect of vitamin K supplementation in reducing age-related bone loss used pharmacological doses of a form of vitamin K not widely consumed in North America or Europe. Although a role of vitamin K in bone health is biologically plausible, multiple clinical trials are required that use vitamin K in widely available forms and doses attainable in the diet to isolate any putative effects of vitamin K in the prevention of age-related bone loss.