Vitamin K status
Gamma-carboxylation of Gla proteins
Also searched as Gamma-carboxylation of Gla proteins.
One vitamin, two tissues, opposite problems. Carboxylated osteocalcin binds calcium into bone; carboxylated matrix Gla protein keeps it out of arterial wall. Undercarboxylation is associated with both low bone density and vascular calcification at once — which is the mechanistic argument for pairing vitamin K with vitamin D and calcium rather than giving calcium alone.
In depth
Cofactor for gamma-carboxylation of Gla proteins — osteocalcin in bone, matrix Gla protein in arteries.
What drives it
Micronutrient status increases it.
Phylloquinone from leafy plants and menaquinones from fermentation and gut bacteria. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
Gut barrier increases it.
Menaquinone production by intestinal bacteria contributes to status. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
What it drives
It increases Bone health.
Carboxylated osteocalcin binds calcium into bone; undercarboxylation associates with lower bone density. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
It reduces Arterial plaque.
One vitamin, two tissues, opposite problems - carboxylated matrix Gla protein keeps calcium out of the arterial wall. This is the mechanistic argument for pairing vitamin K with vitamin D and calcium rather than giving calcium alone. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
It increases Heart & blood pressure.
Via the arterial calcification arm. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
It increases Clot breakdown.
The classical coagulation role - factors II, VII, IX and X are Gla proteins. Carried by the intermediary-metabolism, micronutrient and clinical reviews. doi 10.3390/nu18132141 · PMC9967593
It increases Clotting.
PMC7395276 — NBK551578 — Verbatim (Japanese, Okayama University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences): vitamin K, abundant in natto, is 'conversely a substance necessary for the activation of blood coagulation factors'. Canonical biochemistry - it is the vitamin K cycle that warfarin targets. not a trial result, and no efficacy claim. Recorded because it is a formula-fighting risk: the reason the K2-free nattokinase sourcing spec is mandatory. PMC7395276
Blends that modulate it
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