Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the human body's fat tissue and liver. Vitamin K is found in certain foods and can also be produced by the bacteria in the intestines. There are three forms of vitamin K. K-1 and K-2 are naturally made by the body, while K-3 is synthetic and used by patients to improve certain deficiencies. Vitamin K-2 offers many health benefits, but no research suggests that it affects mood or anxiety.
Vitamin K Deficiencies
Vitamin K is important in helping the blood clot, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. It is rare to be deficient in vitamin K, because the human body can produce the vitamin from the intestines. Some medications such as antibiotics or blood thinners can cause a mild deficiency in the vitamin. Health problems, including liver disease, cystic fibrosis or serious burns, can also cause a deficiency. Excessive or spontaneous bleeding can occur in people with low levels of the vitamin.
Vitamin K-2 and Anxiety
Some vitamin retailers suggest that vitamin K-2 can be helpful in reducing anxiety and improving mood. However, no research has linked vitamin K-2 to any mental health effects, including anxiety, at this time. Vitamin K-2 has been researched extensively, but in relation to physical conditions such as cancer and arthritis. According to the U.S. Patent Office, a new tranquilizer is being developed that contains vitamin K-2 along with other active ingredients. It is unclear whether vitamin K-2 is intended to have a tranquilizing effect.
Vitamin K-2 and Cardiovascular Health
Since vitamin K prevents the deposition of calcium in blood vessels, high intake of vitamin K-2 appears to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by preventing the hardening of arteries. A 2009 study published in "Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases" investigated the link between vitamin K-2 and heart disease in elderly women. The study mainly looked at menaquinones in cheese, meat and milk. The incidence of coronary heart disease decreased with consumption of higher levels of K-2.
Vitamin K-2 and Bone Health
Vitamin K-2 is a category that includes many subtypes. Certain subtypes of vitamin K-2, such as menaquinones, have been studied for potential health benefits. Vitamin K-2 plays an essential role in bone health. It has been found that higher levels of vitamin K correspond to greater bone density. A 2006 study published in "Arthritis and Rheumatism" found that participants with the highest levels of vitamin K had the least severe osteoarthritis, as evidenced by joints affected and the severity of arthritis.
Vitamin K-2 and Cancer
A 2008 study published in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" looked at information from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition and found a strong link between vitamin K deficiencies and cancer. For 10 years, the study followed 24,340 participants who were not diagnosed with cancer at enrollment. According to researchers who conducted the longitudinal study, a high dose of vitamin K-2 reduced the risk of prostate cancer by 35 percent. The study also found that vitamin K-1 had no effect on prostate health.
References
- The University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin K; Steven D. Ehrlich; June 2009
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Low Vitamin K Status is Associated with Osteoarthritis in the Hand and Knee; T. Neogi, et al.; April 2006
- "Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases"; A High Menaquinone Intake Reduces the Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease; G.C.M. Gast, et al.; October 2008
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" ; Dietary Vitamin K Intake in Relation to Cancer Incidence and Mortality: Results From the Heidelberg Cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Heidelberg); Katharina Nimptsch, et al.; May 2010
- Fresh Patents; Tranquilizer and Functional Food; April 2010
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