Combined Low Status of Vitamin D and Vitamin K Associated With Increased Risk of Mortality

Vitamins D and K are both fat-soluble vitamins and play a central role in calcium metabolism. A new study suggests that having low vitamin D and vitamin K status may increase the risk of all-cause mortality and possibly increased risk of cardiovascular mortality.

Participants in the study included 4,472 adults who took part in the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease Study. Participants were followed for an average of 14 years and vitamin D and vitamin K status were evaluated at baseline. Twenty percent of participants had combined low vitamin D and vitamin K status. Data on mortality and cause of death were recorded throughout the study period.

The researchers found that participants with combined low vitamin D and vitamin K status had a 22% risk of all-cause mortality, compared to 7% for participants with combined high vitamin D and vitamin K status. Similar trends were observed for cardiovascular mortality, although the numbers were not statistically significant.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Groningen. It was published online ahead of print on August 17, 2020 in the European Journal of Nutrition.