Vitamin K-2 & Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition in which your bones become less dense and there is an increased risk of developing fractures. MedlinePlus says 1 in 2 women and 1 in 4 men over 50 years old will have a fractured bone due to osteoporosis. In addition to standard therapy, vitamin K-2 may also help manage osteoporosis and decrease the risk of fractures. Talk to a doctor before taking a vitamin K-2 supplement.

About Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that is produced in the gut by bacteria and also comes from foods, like green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K is involved in coagulation, which is the process of forming a blood clot to prevent excessive bleeding. There are three forms of vitamin K: K-1, K-2 and K-3. Most Americans have adequate levels of vitamin K in the body. A deficiency of this nutrient may occur if you have gallbladder or liver disease, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, if you suffered extensive burns or if you take blood thinner drugs. Low levels of vitamin K are also linked with osteoporosis.

Vitamin K and Bone Health

Vitamin K is also necessary for proper use of calcium in bones. Vitamin K helps reduce the risk of fractures, especially in women after menopause and in men and women athletes, who all have an increased risk for developing osteoporosis, notes University of Maryland Medical Center.

Vitamin K-2 and Osteoporosis

According to a study published in April 2010 issue of " Journal of the Indian Medical Association" supplementation with vitamin K-2 should be considered for prevention and management of medical conditions that may lead to osteoporosis. This conclusion is based on the fact that vitamin K-2 helps increase bone-building process and also reduces bone loss, two factors that play a key role in the development of osteoporosis.

Vitamin K-2 Enhances Aldendronate's Effects

Aldendronate is a prescription drug that increases bone mineral density and therefore recommended in the management of osteoporosis. In a study featured in July 2010 in "Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism" a combination of vitamin K-2 and aldendronate was assessed in animal subjects. The authors concluded that aldendronate effectively increased bone mineral density, however the combination of this drug with vitamin K-2 was more effective in improving bone density and strength.

Considerations

Consult a qualified health care provider to find out optimal dosage of vitamin K-2 , as well as safety issues and possible drug or herb interactions. Keep in mind that vitamin K-2 does not replace and should not be used to replace any conventional drugs prescribed for osteoporosis.