Recent Findings about Health and Nutritional Effects of Vitamin K

Abstract

Vitamin K is one of the fat soluble vitamin which is discovered as cofactor for blood coagulation. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence from recent research suggests that vitamin K has protective effect against osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Vitamin K is essential for activation of the calcium-binding proteins called osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein, which contribute to bone and vascular health. The required dairy intake of vitamin K for bone health is greater than dietary reference intakes in Japan. Menaquinone-7, a major homologue which is abundant in natto, has the highest nutritional effect.