A Dutch trial tested the effects of taking the vitamin K homologue menaquinone-7 (MK-7) on measures of atherosclerosis.The study showed a small but statistically significant slowing of coronary artery calcification progression after 1 and 2 years of daily MK-7 supplementation.In particular, results showed slower calcification in noncalcified plaques, though the clinical significance of this remains unknown.
Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) supplementation modestly slowed the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) for patients in the placebo-controlled VitaK-CAC trial.
Among people with existing chronic coronary atherosclerosis, CT-derived CAC scores rose to varying degrees between people randomized to the vitamin K homologue or matching placebo, going from 135 AU and 145 AU at baseline, respectively, to 150 AU and 173 AU after 1 year, then finally to 184 AU and 214 AU after 2 years (P=0.02).
Similarly, calcium mass favored those who got once-daily MK-7 supplements: from a baseline level of 25 mg and 26 mg, respectively, calcium mass rose to 28 mg and 33 mg after 1 year and ultimately reached 32 mg and 38 mg after 2 years (P=0.02), reported Peter de Leeuw, MD, PhD, of Maastricht University Medical Center in the Netherlands, and colleagues in JAMA Cardiology.
