Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin K (menadione)
For the health condition: Osteoporosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Vitamin K, specifically in the forms of phylloquinone (K1) and menaquinones (K2), has been investigated for its role in bone health, but menadione (K3), the synthetic form, is less commonly used due to potential toxicity. Several studies have shown that Vitamin K is involved in the carboxylation of osteocalcin, a protein essential for bone mineralization. Clinical trials—primarily in Japan—have used vitamin K2 (menaquinone-4; MK-4) to reduce fracture risk and improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. However, the evidence for menadione (K3) specifically is limited and controversial, as K3 is not recommended for human use in many countries due to safety concerns. A 2006 meta-analysis (Cockayne et al., Arch Intern Med) found that vitamin K supplementation (mostly K2) reduced bone loss and fracture risk, but menadione was not specifically addressed. The mechanism is biologically plausible, but large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials in Western populations are lacking, and most guidelines do not recommend vitamin K as a standard osteoporosis treatment. Thus, while there is some scientific rationale and limited clinical evidence for vitamin K’s role (mainly K2, not K3/menadione), the overall evidence is moderate at best for supporting osteoporosis treatment. Menadione itself is not widely used or recommended for this indication.

More about Vitamin K (menadione)
More about Osteoporosis

Other health conditions supported by Vitamin K (menadione)

Bleeding (external)
Bleeding (internal)
Osteoporosis

Products containing Vitamin K (menadione)

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