Beneficial role of vitamin K supplementation on insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and the reduced risk of type 2 diabetes: A review

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Los Angeles County, Calif.), 2016-07, Vol.32 (7-8), p.732-739
• Main Authors: Manna, Prasenjit, Kalita, Jatin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-inflammatory; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body mass index; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - prevention & control; Dietary Supplements; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Glucose; Glucose tolerance; Health risks; Humans; Hyperglycemia; Insulin; Insulin - metabolism; Insulin Resistance; Insulin sensitivity; Lipid lowering; Mens health; Metabolism; Micronutrients; Nutrition therapy; Population; Reduced risk of T2 D; Risk reduction; Risk Reduction Behavior; Studies; Vitamin K; Vitamin K - blood; Vitamin K - therapeutic use; Vitamins - blood; Vitamins - therapeutic use; Womens health
• ISSN: 0899-9007; 1873-1244
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2016.01.011

Abstract Micronutrients are gaining acceptance as an important nutritional therapy for the prevention and/or management of diabetes and its associated health risks. Although a very small quantity of micronutrients are required for specific function in our body, moderate deficiencies can lead to serious health issues. Impaired insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance play a major role in the development of diabetic pathophysiology. Vitamin K is well-known for its function in blood coagulation. Moreover, several human studies reported the beneficial role of vitamin K supplementation in improving insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, preventing insulin resistance, and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Both animal and human studies have suggested that vitamin K-dependent protein (osteocalcin), regulation of adipokine levels, anti-inflammatory property, and lipid-lowering effect may mediate the beneficial function of vitamin K in insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. This review for the first time provides an overview of the currently available preclinical and clinical evidences on the effect of vitamin K supplementation in the management of insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. The outcome of this review will increase the understanding for the development of a novel adjuvant therapy to achieve better control of glycemia and improve the lives of the diabetic patients.