Can Vitamin K Lower Cholesterol?
Results of population and clinical studies suggest that vitamin K2 may help lower cholesterol levels in some people:
- In a clinical study, vitamin K2 reduced serum cholesterol in dialysis patients with elevated cholesterol levels.(1)
- Post-menopausal women given low doses of Vitamin K2 for a 4-week period had significant decreases in both HDL and LDL cholesterol levels — while the placebo group did not. Vitamin K2 also lowered blood pressure. This was a randomized, controlled clinical trial.(5)
- A 10 year study showed a link between the highest level of vitamin K2 in the diet and lower triglyceride levels. Researchers suggest this is why they also found a lower rate of metabolic syndrome with higher intake of vitamin K2.(99)
In certain populations, vitamin K deficiency has also been linked to higher levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.(100)