Low Vitamin K Levels May Be Associated With Cognitive Impairment

Vitamin K plays a role in bone metabolism, regulating blood calcium levels, and blood clotting. A recent study suggests that low levels of vitamin K may be associated with cognitive impairment in mature adults.

Participants in the study included 800 adults with an average age of 75. Blood samples were used to measure concentrations of undercarboxylated osteocalcin, a biomarker for vitamin K insufficiency. The researchers administered the Mini Mental State Examination to evaluate cognitive function.

The researchers found that participants with the highest levels of undercarboxylated osteocalcin had the highest levels of cognitive impairment. Impairment was especially strong in the areas of orientation, calculation, and language.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology. It was published online ahead of print on January 31, 2022 in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.

A previous study found that high dietary fiber intake may help protect cognitive function.