Another win for vitamin K – one of the least studied, yet most versatile vitamins. While vitamin K is officially considered to have impact mostly on coagulation and bone health, its quinone-like structure/function suggests it may have benefits for every organ, especially high-energy-consuming ones like our brain (which consumed 20% of daily energy production). The study below demonstrated that vitamin K downregulates the expression of inflammatory mediators while also upregulating the activity of enzymes involved in preventing the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Both of these pathways are thought to be the primary driving mechanisms in progressive, neurodegenerative and “incurable” conditions such as AD. Maybe all that is needed for brain health is a weekly serving of liver (a rich source of vitamin K) or a little supplementation with this gem of a vitamin.
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13010058
“…A recent study1 conducted by researchers at Sapienza University of Rome found that vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) may have neuroprotective properties. In the study, researchers examined the effects of MK-7 and menaquinone-4 (MK-4) on neuroblastoma cells to understand how different forms of vitamin K2 impact the expression of genes involved in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Results showed that MK-7 was associated with the “downregulation of neurodegeneration– (PSEN1 and BACE1) and neuroinflammation– (IL-1β and IL-6) associated genes.” Additionally, genes related to protective rolls toward amyloidogenesis – involved in the formation and growth of amyloid structures – were upregulated (ADAM10 and ADAM17). After profiling DNA methylation patterns of genes known to be epigenetically regulated, the researchers found that there was a correlation between hypermethylation and the downregulation of PSEN1, IL-1β and IL-6. According to the researchers, this suggests that Vitamin K may have neuroprotective qualities by mitigating neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory pathways, which is mediated by the hypermethylation of the regulatory regions of PSEN1, IL-1β and IL-6.”
