Vitamin K article by Dr. Susan E. Brown

I received this article in a newsletter from the woman to woman site. A friend suggested i post it here for everyone to read. take care..phyllis

High dose vitamin K: New found protection from bone fracture and cancer?

by Dr. Susan E. Brown, PhD

Last September, the large American Society for Bone Mineral Research Meeting was held in Montreal, Canada. Generally these meetings are dominated by pharmacological approaches to bone health, but, looking at the big book schedule of lectures, I was delighted to find an entire session on vitamin K.

In this session, several of the top vitamin K researchers reported with disappointment their findings that vitamin K did not seem to improve bone density. I was not too upset by this finding, and really did not expect vitamin K to increase bone density much. Previously, French researchers and others had already noted that higher vitamin K status was inversely correlated with fracture incidence independent of bone density. What I did not expect, however, were the astonishing findings regarding dramatic reductions in both fracture and cancer in postmenopausal women given daily 5 mg of vitamin K1 over 2 to 4 years. The placebo-controlled study, known as the ECKO trial, was conducted by researchers from the University of Toronto, and involved 440 postmenopausal women with osteopenia.

The primary goal, or endpoint, of the study was to see if high dose vitamin K1 (5 mg/day) would increase bone density. The secondary endpoint included changes in bone turnover markers, height, fractures, adverse effects, and health related quality of life. While the study showed no significant changes in bone density over the 2-4 year period, fewer women in the vitamin K group had clinical fractures (9 as compared to 20, a 55% reduction in fractures) and fewer had cancers (3 as compared to 12, a 75% reduction in cancers). Although the study was not designed to test the ability of high dose vitamin K to reduce fractures and cancer, the findings certainly suggest this is a strong possibility.

Years ago at the Center for Better Bones, we identified vitamin D and vitamin K as the two most promising, yet most understudied, bone-building nutrients. The vitamin D story has exploded, as you probably know, and I am sure this remarkable vitamin K1 study and the growing documentation on vitamin K2 in the form of MK-7 are now fueling a vitamin K revolution.

Reference: Cheung, Angela, et al. 2008. Vitamin K supplementation in postmenopausal women with ostepoenia (ECKO Trial): A randomized controlled trial, PLoS Medicine, 5(10):1461-1472.

By Loods
Reply 361488
April 22, 2009 at 8:47 am
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Very interesting report. When I asked my Doctor about vitamin K, she said "Oh there is nothing to support that it makes any difference!" Why are Doctors so negative in one aspect, but still dish out strong osteoporosis drugs without consultation!

By morikazumi
Reply 361663
April 22, 2009 at 11:11 am
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I am so glad to join this website.
I was about to take the Reclast treatment for my osteoporosis problem but I felt uncomfortable about taking it after researching the side effect of this treatment. One thing was that if you have asthma and allergic to an aspirin, you may not able to take this treatment. I was told by my doctor about this finding,
he told me not to worry but my allergy doctor was not thrilled about my taking this treatment.
This tell you so many of doctors are not well informed
therefore we have to do all the research.
I just ordered Dr. Susan Brown's 2 books and try to improve my bone density.

By phylwill1152
Reply 361684
April 22, 2009 at 11:26 am
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Hello...I too find it interesting that dr. are so closed minded to much of what we learn on our own. I told my dr. i was going to take strontium and his response was "I can't stop you, but i also can't give you my recommendation to use it." Dr. are trained to stick to what they are taught and that is to "prescribe" medications that are FDA approved. Since vitamins and supplements are sold OTC without the testing done by the FDA many drs. are reluctant to advise their patients to try them. We all have to educate ourselves and be our own advocates to get the best care we can.

I think this vitamin K report gives good support to benefits of adding it to the bone building things we all do. take care...phyllis

By windblown
Reply 362191
April 22, 2009 at 6:43 pm
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Hi Phyllis: Thanks for posting this. It occurred to me that my Dr. went to this Research meeting, but the only thing we discussed was Denosumab, since it was on the agenda as well. When I see the Dr. again I'll ask about this. My Dr. isn't one to dismiss supplements, since they test them all the time at their lab for osteo. I'll let you know what she says, but regardless, this does sound very promising.

Pam

By PikaB
Reply 362208
April 22, 2009 at 7:04 pm
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This was the authors' conclusion in the actual article, available online at http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.00501 96

"What Do These Findings Mean?
These findings indicate that a high daily dose of vitamin K1 provides no protection against the age-related decline in bone density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia, but that vitamin K1 supplementation may protect against fractures and cancers in these women. The apparent contradiction between the effects of vitamin K1 on bone density and on fractures could mean that vitamin K1 supplements strengthen bone by changing factors other than bone density, e.g., by changing its fine structure rather than making it denser. However, because so few study participants had fractures, the difference in the fracture rate between the two treatment groups might have occurred by chance. Larger studies are therefore needed to examine the effect of vitamin K1 on fractures (and on cancer) and, until these are done, high-dose vitamin K1 supplementation should not be recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis."

By Alli
Reply 362623
April 23, 2009 at 7:34 am
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Thank you Phyl for sharing the vitamin K info. Do you take supplemental vitamin k yourself? and how many out there take it. I have heard all good things about k2-mk7 for stronger bones

By phylwill1152
Reply 362630
April 23, 2009 at 7:51 am
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Hi Alli, no i'm not currently taking vit K, but may add it after i have a DEXA this summer. I've been taking strontium, calcium, magnesium, D, fish oil and a multi with K, but don't want to add anything new till i see how these have been working. There are so many things we do to help our bones that it's hard to know which ones are working and which ones are just going along for the ride. take care..phyllis

By rmchavin (Inactive)
Reply 362983
April 23, 2009 at 12:01 pm
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Dear phylwill1152:

The Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University is one of America's leading experts on how vitamin K1(phylloquinone) can lower your risk of developing a calcified aorta and how it can improve your bone health. As you read their research, please don't forget that (1)it's much, much, much better to get your vitamin K1(phylloquinone) from green vegetables than from vitamin K pills(phytonadione), (2)that vitamin K is friendly to your heart, not something that will increase your risk of blood clots, and (3)medical doctors in Japan prescribe megadoses of vitamin K to their osteoporosis patients instead of prescribing bisphosphonates as U.S. medical doctors prefer to do for U.S. osteoporosis patients. As for reducing cancer risk, the phytoestrogens and antioxidants in vegetables are even more valuable than the phylloquinone. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminK/

By Fenbeast
Reply 363225 · In reply to 361663 by morikazumi
April 23, 2009 at 3:25 pm
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Dr. Brown's website has a lot of good stuff, I recommend it. www.betterbones.com -- it has lots of stuff on different nutrients that help improve bones.

BTW the article posted here is from her blog the Osteo Blast you can sign up for it on her site.

By aida
Reply 364815
April 25, 2009 at 5:03 am
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Hi all,

I have just begun a new calcium supplement - in Australia - which has "10 essential Vitamins and Minerals for Bone Health" It was developed by my Endocrinologist (a leader in the field of Osteoporosis here). Info on box is in plain english : It contains Calcium (as carbonate) 500mg,
Vit D 12.5mcg; Zinc 5 mcg
Vit K 23mcg; Copper 1 mg
Magnesium 110mg; Boron 1 mg
Manganese 2.5mg; Silicon 7mg
Betacarotine (pro Vit A 1.8mg.
Cal. for strong bones and supporting critical functions like blood pessure to maintain heart beat etc;
Magnesium for transporting calcium and bone resorption and mineralisation;
Copper to slow bone turnover by inhibiting osteoclast activity.
Manganese for skeleton development AND because levels are lower in people with osteoporosis.
Zinc - because deficiency can cause growth retardation and reduce osteoblast activity and synthesis of collagen and chondroitin.
Boron can have anti - osteoporotic activity and can affect cal and vit D metabolism. Also increase effect of oestrogen on bone. Oestrogen has osteoprotective effects.
Silicon for healthy connective tissue, bones and teeth.
Vit D assists absorption and re- absorption of calcium; Vit K activates osteocalcin, a protein produced by osteoblasts that attracts calcium to bones. Betacarotene is precursor to Vit A , required for normal growth and maintenance of skeletal tissues.
Bone turnover simplfied is divided into making and losing:
Osteoblast - means making bone
Osteoclast - is losing (replaced by osteoblast).

Also mentioned is guide: "for best absorption: take with a meal low in protein and dont consume more than 500mg of calcium at any one time.
I have severe osteoporosis (-4.9) and am injecting Forteo. I do NOT have calcium deficiency nor Vit D. My problem comes from a Spine disease when in teens - called Scheuermanns Disease - which causes tissue between vertebra to "die" then bone density did not peak at 30 yrs then going thru Menopause I hardly have any left!! 60 yr old with skeleton of a 90 yr old! Only diagnosed 1 year ago. Had 11 months Forteo and showing slight increase in BD already!! very pleased. Fracture of T7 last year still very painful and dont know if ever pain free again. Never any pain in back prior to this. Am positive I can beat this.
Aida

By April995
Reply 366683
April 27, 2009 at 4:26 am
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HI,

Just wondering if anyone else has this problem when taking Vitimin K.
I get leg cramps in taking anytype of K. If its in my Calcium, or by its self!!
The health food store I go to , just told me there are two other women with the same problem when they take K !

My Dr. cannot understand why this would happen taking K.

Take Care,
April

By selga
Reply 367288
April 27, 2009 at 2:13 pm
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Hi Aida,
Was very interested to hear about the new "Calcium Plus" supplement you described. What name does it go under, and where is it available? Pharmacies or elsewhere?
Although I now live in Latvia, I'm originally from Australia, and would be very interested in getting hold of some with the help of friends there. There's certainly nothing based on that sort of combination available here.
Would much appreciate getting this information regarding availability etc., thanks.
Selga

By verginia
Reply 525860
September 2, 2009 at 2:43 am
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Hi Aida
I would also like to know where to purchase the 'Calcium Plus' supplement. As I'm from Sydney Australia would you be able to name your Endocrinologist.
Thanks

By huessysignoret
Reply 526217 · In reply to 362208 by PikaB
September 2, 2009 at 10:28 am
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Dear PikaB -- I thought Vit K2 was the preferred form of this vitamin. Or are both K1 and K2 valuable, but for different reasons?

By Sarasota_Babe
Reply 526473
September 2, 2009 at 1:08 pm
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VITAMIN K AND CLOTTING

I read somewhere, or maybe it was in junior high school biology that Vitamin K was essential for blood clotting.

Will too much of this vitamin cause dangerous clots? Hmmm!

By April995
Reply 527409
September 3, 2009 at 7:02 am
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Sarasota, What you said just reminded me of when my son had his tonsills taken out. They gave him a shot of K to stop the bleeding! The Dr. said K coagulates the bood.
I think you make a good point there.

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