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A critical review of the effects of vitamin K on glucose and lipid homeostasis: its potential role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes

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Abstract

In recent years, our knowledge regarding the physiological role of vitamin K has expanded beyond regulation of coagulation to include many other aspects of human health. In the present review, we aimed to evaluate the existing evidence for beneficial effects of vitamin K on type 2 diabetes and components of the metabolic syndrome as risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Increased dietary intake of vitamin K has been linked to lower incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), possibly through its enhancement of insulin production and sensitivity. Additionally, higher plasma levels of vitamin K1 have been associated with lower T2DM risk and decreased insulin resistance, and supplementation trials also suggest a positive influence of vitamin K on glucose regulation. Vitamin K might also beneficially affect serum lipids and lipid metabolism. However, the available data remain controversial. Additionally, different studies use different approaches to assess vitamin K status owing to the absence of a generally accepted marker, which further complicates data evaluation. In conclusion, vitamin K possibly improves glucose and lipid metabolism and could be an emerging target in the context of prevention and control of T2DM, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.

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Abbreviations

T2DM:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus

FFQ:

Food frequency questionnaire

OGTT:

Oral glucose tolerance test

HOMA-IR:

Homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance

HOMA-β:

Homeostatic model assessment-β cell function

ucOC:

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin

cOC:

Carboxylated osteocalcin

HbA1c:

Glycated hemoglobin

HDL-C:

High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol

TRG:

Triglycerides

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  1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    Nikolaos A. Varsamis, Georgios A. Christou & Dimitrios N. Kiortsis

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  1. Nikolaos A. Varsamis
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  2. Georgios A. Christou
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Varsamis, N.A., Christou, G.A. & Kiortsis, D.N. A critical review of the effects of vitamin K on glucose and lipid homeostasis: its potential role in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes. Hormones 20, 415–422 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42000-020-00268-w

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