A new study has found that consuming a particular vitamin can decrease the chances of bone fracture-related hospitalization in later life.
The study, published in the journal Food and Function, found a strong association between increased vitamin K1 levels and decreased risk of bone fracture.
Researchers from the Edith Cowan University’s Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute analyzed data from the Perth Longitudinal Study of Aging Women to find a link between fracture-related hospitalizations and vitamin K1 intake. The data set included information on almost 1400 old Australian women over 14.5 years.
“Basic studies of vitamin K1 have identified a critical role in the carboxylation of the vitamin K1-dependant bone proteins such as osteocalcin, which is believed to improve bone toughness,” Study lead Dr. Marc Sim said, as quoted by ScienceDaily. “A previous ECU trial indicates dietary vitamin K1 intakes of less than 100 micrograms per day may be too low for this carboxylation.”
“Vitamin K1 may also promote bone health by inhibiting various bone resorbing agents,” Sim added.
According to the study, women who consumed more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K1 (about 125 g of dark leafy vegetables, or one-to-two serves of vegetables) had 31% fewer chances of any fracture when compared to women who ate less than 60 micrograms per day. Surprisingly, the current vitamin K intake guideline in Australia for women is 60 micrograms per day.
When it comes to hip fractures, the results were encouraging. Those participants who had the most intake of vitamin K1 exhibited a reduced risk of hospitalization by 49%, the study found.
“Our results are independent of many established factors for fracture rates, including body mass index, calcium intake, Vitamin D status, and prevalent disease,” Sim noted.
Luckily, eating more than 100 micrograms of vitamin K1 every day is not that difficult.
“Consuming this much daily vitamin K1 can easily be achieved by consuming between 75-150g, equivalent to one to two serves, of vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and cabbage,” Sim commented.
“It’s another reason to follow public health guidelines, which advocate higher vegetable intake including one to two serves of green leafy vegetables — which is in line with our study’s recommendations,” the lead author further said.
Hip fracture is a debilitating condition and affects the quality of life. This study prods people to pay attention to their diet to lead a comfortable life later on.