Question:
If I have osteoporosis, does taking vitamin K help reduce my risk of having a fracture?
Answer:
Yes
MedHead Confidence Score: 2
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MedHead Message:
There is a lot of back and forth with vitamin K and osteoporosis. There are 2 main forms of vitamin K, K1 and K2. Both forms have been studied. Vitamin K1 or K2 evidently does NOT prevent osteoporosis, but it has been shown to increase bone density and decrease fractures specifically in the spine in women but not men with osteoporosis. There are some problems with these studies though. Doses of K1 are typically 1-10mg daily and K2 up to 45mg daily have been studied. However, I would exercise caution if you are taking warfarin, and blood thinning agent.
References:
Huang, ZB., Wan, SL., Lu, YJ. et al. Osteoporos Int (2015) 26: 1175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-014-2989-6 2. Cockayne S, Adamson J, Lanham-New S, Shearer MJ, Gilbody S, Torgerson DJ. Vitamin K and the Prevention of Fractures: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Arch Intern Med. 2006;166(12):1256–1261. doi:10.1001/archinte.166.12.1256
