JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The fat-soluble K vitamins K1 and K2 are well recognized and exert an essential biological role in the blood coagulation cascade. However, vitamin K is less known for its non-essential roles in participating in the growing family of vitamin K-dependent proteins that promote various functions of organs and systems in the body, sustaining health and preventing disease. These less well-known actions depend on the availability of vitamin K for non-essential multi-tasking functions. This fat-soluble vitamin is available predominantly through selective dietary intakes, and its presence is absent or very low in many diets. The lack of vitamin K for non-essential biological functions exemplifies vitamin/nutritional element insufficiency, which is different from a clinically apparent vitamin deficiency.

Objective:

The current epidemiological study evaluated the nutritional status of vitamin K in a sample of the Indian population and its content in staple Indian foods.

Methods:

Serum levels of vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 in the form of MK-7 were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a fluorescence detector in 209 patients with Type 2 diabetes and 50 healthy volunteers and in common, staple foods in India.

Results:

The results indicate that in comparison to populations with high and low serum levels in various geographical regions, the sample of India population of apparently healthy individuals and Type 2 diabetes patients showed low (insufficient) levels of vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7). The staple, commonly consumed Indian foods that were tested in the study showed undetectable content of vitamin K2.

Conclusions:

The general population could benefit from the consumption of vitamin K2 in the form of MK-7 supplements, with emphasis on patients with diabetes, elevated blood pressure, a harbinger of cardiovascular disease, and compromised immune systems. The results can be extrapolated world-wide. Clinical Trial: CTRI 2019/05/014246