Vitamin K intake and all-cause and cause specific mortality

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Vitamin K is linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer.
• Limited data exists on vitamin K intake and mortality risk.
• This study investigates vitamin K's role in all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between dietary intake of different vitamin K forms and mortality.
• To determine if phylloquinone and menaquinone intake influences risk of death from CVD, cancer, or other causes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 33,289 Dutch adults (EPIC-NL).
• Dietary intake assessed via food frequency questionnaire.
• Mortality data linked through national registries; Cox proportional hazards models used.

Main Results:

• No association found between phylloquinone or menaquinone intake and all-cause mortality.
• Neither vitamin K form was linked to CVD or cancer mortality.
• Higher long-chain menaquinone intake showed a borderline association with lower coronary heart disease mortality.

Conclusions:

• Dietary vitamin K intake does not appear to influence all-cause, cancer, or other cause mortality.
• Findings suggest limited impact of vitamin K on overall mortality risk, with a potential subtle effect on coronary heart disease.