Leafy greens and co.
Robert Klatt
People with vitamin K deficiency have poorer lung function and are more likely to develop COPD, asthma and shortness of breath. An increased intake of the vitamin could therefore be useful for people with lung diseases.
Copenhagen (Denmark). According to the German Society for Nutrition e. V (DGE), vitamin K is essential for bone metabolism, blood clotting and prevention of calcium deposits in vessels. A study by the University of Copenhagen (KU) has now examined whether a vitamin K deficiency also affects the lungs. Previously, little was known in medicine about the vitamin’s role in lung health.
According to the publication in the specialist magazine ERJ Open Research 4,092 subjects between the ages of 24 and 77 took part in the study. The researchers led by Torkil Jespersen checked the lung function of the study participants using spirometry and recorded information about their health and lifestyle using standardized questionnaires. In addition, blood samples from the subjects were analyzed for dp-ucMGP, a biomarker for low vitamin K levels.
Reduced lung function in vitamin K deficiency
The data shows that people with vitamin K deficiency exhale less air per second (FEV1) and have a low total air volume (FVC). In addition, COPD, asthma and shortness of breath were more common in subjects with vitamin K deficiency.
“We already know that vitamin K plays an important role in the blood, and research is beginning to show that it’s also important for the heart and bones. However, there has been very little research on vitamin K and the lungs. To our knowledge, this is the first study of vitamin K and lung function in a large general population. Our results suggest that vitamin K may play a role in maintaining our lungs.”
No change in reference values
According to the researchers, the results so far do not support a change in the recommended reference values for vitamin K intake. However, further studies are needed to investigate whether certain people, primarily people with existing lung diseases, benefit from an increased vitamin K intake can.
The researchers are currently working on a clinical trial that will examine whether vitamin K supplements have an effect on the heart and bones in the general population. The results can also be used to analyze whether supplementation of the vitamin affects lung health.
ERJ Open Research, doi: 10.1183/23120541.00208-2023