Since clinical studies on the relationship between fat-soluble vitamins and non-communicable diseases are scarce in Japan, we have studied the relationship between vitamins E and K and non-communicable diseases. In our previous report, the prevalence of hypertension is significantly lower in the middle and high tertiles of vitamin E intake than in the low tertile. In our cross-sectional study, total lipid-corrected serum α-tocopherol concentrations negatively contribute to the number of risk factors for atherosclerotic diseases by multivariate analysis, although serum α-tocopherol concentrations are not in the deficiency range.
Although vitamin K deficiency is rare in adults, its insufficiency can occur due to decreased intake and impaired intestinal vitamin K production. Risk factors for vitamin K insufficiency were studied by evaluating markers for hepatic and skeletal vitamin K status in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities. Patients receiving tube-feeding and long-term antibiotics had significantly higher prevalence of vitamin K insufficiency than those with oral feedings. Three months of vitamin K
1 intervention in tube-feeding patients significantly improved hepatic and skeletal markers of vitamin K insufficiency and bone metabolism.
In conclusion, vitamins E and K insufficiency, which is milder than their deficiency, can be disease risk. For determining vitamins E and K requirements for preventing non-communicable diseases, further studies including observational ones are needed.
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