Posted on 04/13/2025 9:05:27 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A new study is shedding light on how insufficient consumption of vitamin K may adversely affect cognition as people get older.
The study suggests that a lack of vitamin K may increase inflammation and hamper proliferation of neural cells in the hippocampus, a portion of the brain that is capable of generating new cells and is central to functions such as learning and memory.
Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli, green peas, kale, and spinach.
In the new research, researchers conducted a six-month dietary intervention to compare the cognitive performance of mice that were fed a low-vitamin K diet and those receiving a standard diet.
The research team focused on menaquinone-4, a form of vitamin K prevalent in brain tissue, and found significantly lower levels of this nutrient in the brains of the vitamin K-deficient mice.
In one such test, the novel object recognition test, the vitamin K-deficient mice showed a diminished ability to distinguish between familiar and new objects, a clear indication of impaired memory. In a second test, to measure spatial learning, the mice were tasked with learning the location of a hidden platform in a pool of water. The vitamin K-deficient mice took considerably longer to learn the task compared to their counterparts with adequate vitamin K levels.
When the researchers then examined the mice brain tissue, they found significant changes within the hippocampus, a brain region crucial for learning and memory. Specifically, they observed a reduced number of proliferating cells in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in the vitamin K-deficient mice.
This decrease translated to fewer newly generated immature neurons, a process known as neurogenesis.
Adding another layer of complexity, the researchers also found evidence of increased neuroinflammation in the brains of the vitamin K-deficient mice.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
It appears it may reduce brain inflammation and memory.
thank you for the ping~
K and d should be taken together to help prevent stones in people susecptible to stones. Good to know about the brain sustaining/helping power of k
Bkmk
Our top 10 bad habits ~ from asking GROK:
Several habits can reduce the nutritional value of our diets, leading to deficiencies or suboptimal health. Here are the main ones, based on what’s known about nutrition and dietary patterns:
Over-reliance on processed foods: Highly processed foods (e.g., fast food, sugary snacks, refined grains) are often low in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They can displace whole foods, leaving less room for nutrient-dense options like vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins.
Skipping meals or undereating: Regularly missing meals, especially breakfast, or severely restricting calories can lead to inadequate intake of key nutrients like protein, iron, or B vitamins, impacting energy and long-term health.
Excessive alcohol consumption: Alcohol can interfere with the absorption of nutrients like B vitamins (especially B1 and folate), magnesium, and zinc. It also adds empty calories, potentially crowding out nutritious foods.
Overcooking vegetables: Cooking methods like boiling or frying for too long can destroy heat-sensitive nutrients such as vitamin C and some B vitamins. Steaming or eating raw preserves more nutrition.
High sugar intake: Diets heavy in added sugars (sodas, desserts, etc.) provide little nutritional value and can reduce appetite for nutrient-rich foods, leading to deficiencies over time.
Not eating a variety of foods: Sticking to a narrow range of foods limits exposure to diverse nutrients. For example, avoiding entire food groups (like dairy or grains) without proper substitutes can lead to shortages of calcium, vitamin D, or fiber.
Caffeine overload: Excessive coffee or energy drinks can inhibit absorption of iron and calcium if consumed with meals, potentially contributing to deficiencies.
Poor meal timing with medications: Some medications, like proton pump inhibitors or metformin, can reduce absorption of nutrients (e.g., B12, magnesium) if taken long-term without dietary adjustments.
Ignoring gut health: Poor gut health from low fiber intake or imbalanced diets can impair nutrient absorption, even if you’re eating well. Fiber, probiotics, and varied plant foods support better digestion.
Fad diets or extreme restrictions: Crash diets or trendy plans (e.g., very low-carb or juice cleanses) often cut out essential nutrients, leading to imbalances like low potassium, omega-3s, or protein.
To counter these, focus on whole, minimally processed foods, eat a variety of colors and food groups, and balance cooking methods to retain nutrients.
Umm K.
Foods of color?
Point #1 I’d disagree with Grok. It is just pulling information from the interwebs. I would push it to clarify the ‘skipping meals’ information as ‘fasting’ has been proven to improve health vs. eating mythological 3 meals a day.
Looks good except for “skipping meals” otherwise called “fasting.”
K2, taken in correct ratio with D3 is what pushes naturally derived calcium into your bones and teeth, and, keeping it (calcium) out of your arteries.
SO many wonderful benefits to K2/D3.
I cannot take Vitamin K as I have a mechanical valve in my heart since 1990, and am on high doses of warfarin. At 78 years of age I am still going strong.
Foods of color ~ likely the variety in the produce section.
Fasting likely always good results when we do it following
scriptural instructions. Also good to pray and thank God
for every meal/snack (even also every person +/- good
influence in our lives).
So was up way too early again, older I get the less sleep
I need, went back to bed pondering does GROK use any of
my search history to affect the results ~ not likely but
I have been trying to eat more whole foods lately while
cutting down on sugar, salty snacks, processed food and
even fast food (mostly over-priced re: is it satisfying?)
Stranger still I have 2 friends who almost always skip
breakfast and they both like to drink the whole pot of
coffee 1st thing. But one is the picture of health and
the other not so much. 1st guy drinks some wine almost
every day, 2nd is a regular beer drinker and occasionally
the hard stuff. Both are very active farmer types.
Reminds me of a study from decades ago, maybe even before
FR where 4 groups were studied for longevity - no alcohol,
occasional beer, occasional wine, occasional hard liquor.
Hard liquor were -10 years, no alc/beer were avg and
wine drinkers +10 years. My health has transformed from
obese to fighting aging holistically, 63 years old now and
feel better than anytime since my youth. But would prefer
the rapture as opposed to living 100+ years
As a Christian I don’t drink wine except a very little for at-home communions. I do take resveratrol pills, eat a healthy diet, and take other helpful supplements like CoQ10, mushroom powders, matcha powder, D3, etc.
Lately I’m following some of Dr. Mercola’s advice — eliminate seed oils, increased collagen, good carbs, sunshine, etc.
I normally do a Fasting Mimicking diet a couple times a year with the first day or two water only. I’ve occasionally fasting since my teens, so that’s 50+ years.
Interesting. Have we not been told by researchers that the MK7 is more beneficial in recent years. (for reasons not fully understood.)
MK7 hangs around, like folic acid, until “needed.”
MK4 is used or discarded within six hours, as I understand it.
D3K2 - Can definitely testify to the kidney stones characteristic of increased lower quality D intake without suitable K. Great to know the K helps the noodle...
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