Vitamin K To Raise Glucose Levels

Vitamin K plays a role in many processes in the body though its primary function is for blood clotting. It is abundant in the pancreas, the organ responsible for controlling blood sugar in the body. Vitamin K plays a large role in regulating blood sugar and a deficiency can lead to symptoms similar to diabetes, raising blood glucose levels.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin. It is the most important factor for coagulation, or blood clotting. There are two forms of vitamin K; phylloquinone and menaquinone. Phylloquinone is synthesized from plants; the only way your body gets it is through your diet, according to the Merck Manuals. Menaquinone is absorbed in small amounts in the intestines from the bacteria that produce it. In the United States, the only form of vitamin K supplement is phytonadione. It is considered to be the least toxic and the strongest. It also works the fastest, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Function

Though blood clotting relies heavily on vitamin K, vitamin K also plays a role in bone mineralization, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Bone contains three proteins that are dependent upon vitamin K. Matrix Gla protein is found in bone, cartilage and soft tissue, including blood vessels. It is suggested that this protein helps to prevent calcification of soft tissue and cartilage as it manufactures normal bone growth and development. Gas6, another protein dependent upon vitamin K, is found throughout the nervous system, heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys and cartilage. This protein is believed to regulate cell growth.

Glucose

Your body's main source of fuel is blood sugar called glucose that travels throughout your body, according to the Franklin Institute. Glucose comes from the carbohydrates in starches and sugars found in grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables. Simple carbohydrates act like an instant shot of sugar and are found in processed and refined foods. Complex carbohydrates are more of a time released process, delivering the sugar gradually over a longer period of time. Complex carbohydrates are found in natural foods.

Significance

Vitamin K may play a role in the regulation of blood sugar, according to the Vitamins and Health Supplements Guide. Vitamin K does not raise glucose levels in the body, but a deficiency in the vitamin does. The pancreas holds a large amount of vitamin K and is the organ that releases insulin in response to sugar consumption. When glucose levels rise, the pancreas secretes insulin to bring the levels down. Vitamin K helps the pancreas to secrete the insulin. A deficiency in vitamin K inhibits the pancreas from successfully excreting insulin to control blood sugar levels.

Considerations

A study conducted by Tufts University followed 355 non-diabetic men and women aged 60 to 80 over three years. The study involved vitamin K supplements and blood glucose levels. Vitamin K was shown to slow insulin resistance in elderly men but not the women. The men also had lower blood insulin levels compared to those not taking the supplements. Vitamin K helped the body to accept the insulin the pancreas produced thereby lowering blood glucose levels.