A Growing Problem
Vitamin K deficiency is currently a major problem due to the lack of a proper balanced diet. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Vitamin K deficiency can also be caused by diseases such as biliary disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, liver disease, and Crohn’s disease, and they recommend that patients supplement their diets.12 Deficiency in Vitamin K has been linked to both osteoporosis, fractures, and improper calcium balance in arteries and veins.1,2,3,4 Thus it is very important that we supplement our diets with the proper amount of Vitamin K.
Researchers found a significantly higher incidence of hip fractures in the UK compared to that of women in Japan. They found that Women of Japan had much higher levels of MK-7, which correlated with the consumption of Natto.
| Location | n | PK (ng/mL) | MK-7 (ng/mL) | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 31 | 0.497 ±0.537 | 0.371 ±0.204 | 58.5 ±9.4 |
| Hiroshima | 25 | 0.741 ±0.581 | 1.221 ±1.848 | 57.2 ±3.3 |
| Tokyo | 49 | 0.727 ±0.461 | 5.268 ±6.132 | 67.4 ±8.3 |
They further found how Natto consumption lead to an increase in MK-7. This helped explained why women in the UK had more frail bones leading to hip fractures compared to women of Japan. Women of Japan were benefiting from the MK-7 in Natto that helped their bones stay strong.
Kaneki, et al 2001
