Phylloquinone intake, insulin sensitivity, and glycemic status in men and women

Limited evidence suggests that vitamin K may have a beneficial role in glucose homeostasis. No observational data exist on the associations between vitamin K intake and insulin sensitivity.

We aimed to examine associations between vitamin K intake and measures of insulin sensitivity and glycemic status in men and women aged 26-81 y.

We assessed the cross-sectional associations of self-reported phylloquinone (vitamin K(1)) intake with insulin sensitivity and glycemic status in the Framingham Offspring Cohort. Dietary and supplemental phylloquinone intakes were assessed by using a food-frequency questionnaire. Insulin sensitivity was measured by fasting and 2-h post-oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI(0,120)). Glycemic status was assessed by fasting and 2-h post-OGTT glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)).

Higher phylloquinone intake was associated with greater insulin sensitivity and glycemic status, as measured by 2-h post-OGTT insulin and glucose and ISI(0,120), after adjustment for age, sex, waist circumference, lifestyle characteristics, and diet quality [2-h post-OGTT insulin: lowest and highest quintile, 81.0 and 72.7 microU/mL, respectively (P for trend = 0.003); 2-h post-OGTT glucose: 106.3 and 101.9 mg/dL, respectively (P for trend = 0.009); ISI(0,120): 26.3 and 27.3 mg L(2)/mmol mU min (P for trend = 0.009)]. Phylloquinone intake was not associated with fasting insulin and glucose concentrations, HOMA-IR, or HbA(1c).

Our findings support a potential beneficial role for phylloquinone in glucose homeostasis in men and women.