A study showed that people with low levels of vitamin K in their blood are likely to have less healthy lungs.
- According to a study, vitamin K may play a role in lung function.
- Poor lung function can lead to disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
- Further research will need to be done to determine whether vitamin K supplementation could improve lung health.
According to a study published in ERJ Open Researchsome lung problems could be partly caused by a vitamin K deficiency.
Researchers believe that people who have lower blood levels of vitamin K are more likely to suffer from poor lung function and therefore asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and wheezing.
The role of vitamin K in lung health
Until now, scientists had not determined the full impact of vitamin K, found in leafy green vegetables, vegetable oils and grains, on lung health. However, we identified that this vitamin participates in the production of various proteins necessary for blood clotting and bone formation. It also helps heal wounds.
To better assess its role in lung health, researchers from Copenhagen University Hospital and the University of Copenhagen followed 4,092 people aged 24 to 77 living in the Danish capital.
Vitamin K deficiency reduces the ability of the lungs to function
Participants underwent lung function tests, called spirometrywhich make it possible to evaluate several ventilatory flow rates: the FEV which is the maximum exhaled volume per second as well as the mobilizable volumes (forced vital capacity or FVC) which represent the total volume mobilized after maximum inspiration and expiration.
They also took a blood test with a marker of low vitamin K levels in the body, called dp-ucMGP, and answered questionnaires about their health and lifestyle.
The results showed that people with markers of low vitamin K levels had, on average, lower FEV1 and FVC. This suggests that the lungs would be affected by the levels of this vitamin.
The authors of this work concluded that this discovery could be a good starting point to determine whether certain people, particularly those suffering from lung diseases, could benefit from vitamin K supplements.
Lung disorders are common
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory disease caused by inflammation and permanent and progressive obstruction of the bronchi, explains theHealth Insurance. In France, it affects 5 to 10 % of people over 45 years.
According to theWorld Health Organization (WHO), asthma is a chronic disease that affects 262 million people, children and adults: “lhe airways in the lungs narrow because of inflammation and tightening of the muscles that surround the thin airways. This causes the symptoms of asthma: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.”.
