Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin K2
For the health condition: Calcium Deposits
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Vitamin K2 is increasingly recognized for its role in calcium metabolism and the prevention of pathological calcium deposits (ectopic calcification) in soft tissues such as blood vessels. Scientific validation comes from both epidemiological studies and controlled trials, though the evidence is not yet definitive or at the highest level. Vitamin K2 acts as a cofactor for the enzyme gamma-glutamyl carboxylase, which activates matrix Gla protein (MGP) and osteocalcin—both proteins are crucial in regulating the deposition of calcium. Activated MGP inhibits vascular calcification, while osteocalcin aids in binding calcium to the bone matrix, thereby preventing its accumulation in arteries or other soft tissues. Multiple observational studies have associated higher dietary intake of vitamin K2 with reduced arterial calcification and lower cardiovascular risk. For example, the Rotterdam Study found that higher K2 intake correlated with decreased arterial calcification and lower risk of coronary heart disease. Some small interventional trials have shown that K2 supplementation reduces progression of vascular calcification in specific populations, such as those with chronic kidney disease. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials are limited, and results are not entirely consistent. While the mechanistic rationale and early evidence are promising, definitive clinical recommendations await further research. Thus, the use of vitamin K2 to support or treat calcium deposits is scientifically plausible and partially validated, but not yet established as standard clinical practice.