Vitamin K Reduces Inflammation

Vitamin K is known as an important co-factor nutrient in the formation of bone. It enables the attachment of calcium into proper structure as bone hydroxyapatite crystals.  Vitamin K is also needed for proper blood coagulation and is well known as an antioxidant, working synergistically with many other antioxidants.  A new study shows that vitamin K¹ has the ability to directly modulate NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. , the primary gene switch involved with inflammation. 

In the experiment human macrophages were exposed to the irritant lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which typically produces an inflammatory response.  Vitamin K stopped the inflammatory reaction by inhibiting NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. activation.

This study is interesting to me as I have often used doses of vitamin K ranging up to 20 milligrams per day to stop liver pain.  Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin with a known high level of biological activity within the liver.  It is nice to see some breaking science showing its power as a direct inflammation-reducing nutrient.