Vitamin K is almost always discussed only in the context of blood clotting. Ray Peat and I have pointed out for years that vitamin K has far broader metabolic roles, including supporting mitochondrial electron transport (as a cofactor for Complex III) and regulating calcium homeostasis. Low vitamin K status is linked to arterial calcification, insulin resistance, and now — as this study shows — poor lung function. The mainstream still frames this as a “dietary association,” but the mechanism is clear: vitamin K supports the energy-producing machinery that every cell, including lung tissue, depends on.
As the study below demonstrates, researchers in Denmark examined over 4,000 people and found that those with low vitamin K levels had significantly worse lung function (spirometry measures) and were twice as likely to have COPD, 81% more likely to have wheeze, and 44% more likely to have asthma. This is the first large population study linking vitamin K to lung health.
The bioenergetic explanation is straightforward. Vitamin K is essential for the proper functioning of the electron transport chain (ETC) in mitochondria, particularly as a cofactor for Complex III (bc1 complex) and as a regenerator of other antioxidants. Without adequate vitamin K, mitochondrial energy production is impaired, leading to increased oxidative stress and inflammation — both of which directly damage lung tissue. Additionally, vitamin K activates Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) , which prevents calcification of soft tissues. Lung tissue requires proper elasticity and calcium balance for normal function, and vitamin K deficiency leads to dysregulated calcium deposition and fibrosis.
The study did not use supplementation, only measured blood levels, so no HED calculation is needed from animal data. However, based on my previous writings and the literature, therapeutically effective doses of vitamin K2 (MK-4 or MK-7) are typically in the range of 45–200 mcg per day for maintenance, and up to 1–5 mg per day for therapeutic effects (e.g., reversing arterial calcification). For lung health specifically, ensuring adequate vitamin K intake through diet (leafy greens, natto, or supplementation) is a simple, inexpensive intervention that mainstream medicine is only now beginning to explore.
The human-equivalent dose is not applicable here as this was an observational human study, not an animal dosing study. However, the takeaway is clear: vitamin K deficiency is common, especially in people with poor diet or malabsorption, and correcting it may protect lung function. I have said for years that vitamin K is not just a “clotting vitamin” — it is a fundamental metabolic support agent.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916526001334
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/vitamin-k-lungs-healthy-respiratory-b2390611.html
“…People with higher levels of vitamin K – found in broccoli and spinach among other foods – could have better lung function compared with those with lower levels, a preliminary study suggests.”
“…Researchers found that people with higher levels of vitamin K were less likely to have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or have a wheeze. They were also more likely to perform better on lung health checks.”
“…Researchers found that people with low levels of vitamin K performed worse on these tests. Meanwhile people with low levels of vitamin K were twice as likely to report that they had COPD, 81 per cent more likely to report that they have a wheeze and 44 per cent more likely to report having asthma.”
“…’We already know that vitamin K has an important role in the blood and research is beginning to show that it’s also important in heart and bone health, but there’s been very little research looking at vitamin K and the lungs. To our knowledge, this is the first study on vitamin K and lung function in a large general population. Our results suggest that vitamin K could play a part in keeping our lungs healthy.'”
“…’This interesting research looks at the link between vitamin K and having a lung condition, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We’d be interested to see further research in this area so we can better understand if levels of vitamin K are directly associated with lung function, which could help us better understand the impact of diet on people with lung conditions.'”
