Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin K
For the health condition: Calcium Deficiency
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin K is not used to treat calcium deficiency in the sense of increasing calcium intake or correcting low calcium blood levels directly. However, there is scientific evidence supporting its role in calcium metabolism and bone health, which is why it is sometimes included in supplements aimed at supporting calcium status. Vitamin K, especially in its K2 (menaquinone) form, acts as a cofactor for the carboxylation of osteocalcin, a protein involved in binding calcium to the bone matrix. This process helps ensure that calcium is deposited in bones rather than soft tissues, thereby supporting healthy bone mineralization and reducing the risk of vascular calcification.
Clinical studies have shown that vitamin K supplementation can improve bone mineral density and reduce fracture risk, particularly in populations at risk for osteoporosis. However, its use is more as an adjunct to calcium and vitamin D supplementation, rather than a primary treatment for calcium deficiency itself. The evidence supporting vitamin K's benefit in bone metabolism is moderate, with some meta-analyses and clinical trials demonstrating positive effects, though results can be variable depending on dosage, population, and form of vitamin K used. There is less evidence supporting the use of vitamin K for acute or classical calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia).
In summary, vitamin K is scientifically recognized for its synergistic role in calcium utilization and bone health, but is not a substitute for dietary calcium or treatment of hypocalcemia. Its inclusion in calcium supplements is justified by its supportive role in bone metabolism.
Other health conditions supported by vitamin K
Bleeding (external)Bleeding (internal)
Broken Bones
Bruises (healing)
Bruises (prevention)
Calcium Deficiency
Calcium Deposits
Cardiovascular Disease
Nose Bleeds
Osteoporosis
Products containing vitamin K
Vitabase
Active Woman's Multi
Designs For Health
ADK-Evail™
Thorne
Advanced Nutrients Multivitamin
Metagenics
Axis Endo™ Mango
Thorne
Basic Nutrients 2/Day Multivitamin
Thorne
Basic Prenatal Multivitamin
Designs For Health
BRF 45™
Pure Encapsulations
CAL+ with Ipriflavone
Pure Encapsulations
CAL+ with Ipriflavone
Pure Encapsulations
Calcium K/D
Vitabase
Calcium & Magnesium Citrates
Integrative Therapeutics
Clinical Nutrients HP
Designs For Health
D Evail™ 10K
Designs For Health
D-Evail™ Supreme
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper
Designs For Health
DFH Complete Multi™ with Copper & Iron
Designs For Health
Emulsi-D3 Synergy™
Pure Encapsulations
EmulsiSorb K2D3
Metagenics
Fem Prenatal®
Douglas Laboratories
K2-D3 with Astaxanthin
Vitabase
Life's Essentials Plus
Designs For Health
Liposomal D Supreme
Douglas Laboratories
Liquid D and K
Designs For Health
Metabolic Synergy™
Designs For Health
Metabolic Synergy™
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Chocolate
Metagenics
MetaKids Nutrition Powder Vanilla
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Thorne
Multi-Vitamin Elite NSF
Pure Encapsulations
Nutrient 950® with Vitamin K
Integrative Therapeutics
Nutrivitamin No-Iron
Designs For Health
OmegAvail™ Ultra with Vitamin D3, K1 and K2
Designs For Health
Osteoben®
Designs For Health
OsteoForce™
Designs For Health
OsteoForce™
Designs For Health
OsteoForce™ Supreme
Integrative Therapeutics
Osteoprime Forte
Integrative Therapeutics
Osteoprime Ultra
Integrative Therapeutics
Physicians Elemental Diet Dextrose Free
Integrative Therapeutics
Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics
Physician's Elemental Diet
Integrative Therapeutics
Physicians Elemental Diet Kit
Metagenics
PhytoMulti™ Multivitamin
Metagenics
PhytoMulti With Iron
Metagenics
PhytoMulti Without Iron
Metagenics
PhytoMultivitamin
Metagenics
PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Douglas Laboratories
Prenatal
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
PreNatal Nutrients
Designs For Health
Prenatal Pro™
Designs For Health
Primal Multi™
Integrative Therapeutics
ProThrivers Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureGenomics® Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureGenomics® UltraMultivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
PureHeart® K2D
Pure Encapsulations
PureLean® Protein
Pure Encapsulations
PureResponse™ Multivitamin
Pure Encapsulations
Synergy K
Pure Encapsulations
Synergy K
Designs For Health
Tri-K™
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Essential Packets
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Designs For Health
Twice Daily Multi™
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive ®-EZ Swallow
Douglas Laboratories
ULTRA PREVENTIVE® III W/COPPER
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Preventive® X
Douglas Laboratories
Ultra Protein Green
Thorne
Vitamin D + K2
Designs For Health
Vitamin D Supreme
Designs For Health
Vitamin D Supreme
Designs For Health
Vitamin D Supreme
Designs For Health
Vitamin D Synergy
Metagenics
Vitamin D3 10,000 + K
Metagenics
Vitamin D3 5000 + K
Thorne
Vitamin K (formerly 3-K Complete)
Thorne
Vitamin K2
Douglas Laboratories
Vitamin K2
Integrative Therapeutics
Vitamin K2+D3
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics
Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Thorne
Women's Multi 50+
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Pure Encapsulations
Women's Nutrients
Designs For Health
Women's Twice Daily Essential Packets