Vitamin K Supplements Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Children

Researchers from Augusta University to find out whether vitamin K is an easy and effective way to help reduce cardiovascular risk and obesity in children. They believe the vitamin found in green leafy vegetables, then treated bacteria in the gut when someone is eating meat or cheese may help improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood lipid levels.

Impaired insulin sensitivity can improve lipid levels and calcium in the blood. Biologists bones of the Georgia Prevention Institute, Dr. Norman Pollock said this would lead to obesity, then becomes a major risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Researchers involved 60 children aged 8-17 years in the United States. They were identified as having high glucose levels and indicates increased risk of diabetes. During the eight-week study, some children are given vitamin K supplements more powerful, called K2, others quite placebo.

"This (K2) is a vitamin that most of us rarely get it. We expect this to be a safe alternative for children to ensure their heart health," said Pollock, quoted by Medical News.




Researchers measured the results by looking at markers of cardiovascular health, such as triglyceride levels, both good and bad cholesterol, as well as production and insulin sensitivity. The projects funded American Heart Association is proving administration of vitamin K increased the risk of young people suffering from cardiovascular disease when they failed dieting or exercising.

"Restricting caloric intake or increase the level of exercise is usually difficult to adults, let alone children. Limiting child feeding by applying on their diet also tend to have lasting impact, for example, they may have an eating disorder," said Pollock.

Obese children had higher levels of vitamin K are low. Vitamin K activates osteocalcin that will increase production and insulin sensitivity.