Study Finds Statin Use May Be Associated With Vitamin K Deficiency

Statins are drugs that can lower your cholesterol. They work by blocking a substance your body needs to make cholesterol. A recent study suggests that statins may negatively influence vitamin K status.

Participants in the study included 51 adults with established cardiovascular disease and 47 adults at a moderate-to-high risk for cardiovascular disease. Participants were split into statin users and non-statin users. The researchers measured the activation of osteocalcin, which is a vitamin K-dependent protein. They also evaluated coronary artery calcification.

The researchers found that inactive osteocalcin levels and the ratio of inactive and active osteocalcin was significantly higher in statin users, which could indicate vitamin K deficiency. They also found that coronary artery calcification was more prominent in statin users.

The study was conducted by researchers from Varna Medical University.It was published online ahead of print on February 26, 2021 in the Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences.