In a recent study, scientists found evidence that vitamin K could help protect against aging-related cognitive declines associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
They found vitamin K2 showed a very promising impact in preventing g aging-related changes in the aging brain.
The findings showed vitamin K2 can be a promising approach to reducing age-related disorders and preserving cognitive functions in aging.
Dementia is a form of cognitive impairment that interferes with daily life and is different from normal memory lapses that occur with aging.
In the U.S., it is estimated that more than six million people are currently living with Alzheimer’s, one of the most common types of dementia.
Vitamin K is a group of compounds that includes vitamin K1, found in leafy greens and some other vegetables, and vitamin K2, found in meats, cheeses, and eggs.
Previous studies have linked vitamin K with processes involved in brain functioning, and some studies have associated vitamin K deficiencies with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
In the current study, the team examined the biological pathways through which vitamin K appears to help preserve cognitive functioning.
The researchers tested the effects of menaquinone-7 (MK-7), a form of vitamin K2, in 3-month-old rats, an age at which rats have reached maturity.
One group of rats received supplemental MK-7 for 17 months while the other group did not.
The researchers used validated tests including a maze, swim test, and sociability test to assess the rats’ cognitive functioning and depressive-like and anxiety behavior.
These tests showed that rats that received vitamin K performed better than those that did not.
Vitamin K supplementation was linked to reduced evidence of cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety, along with improved spatial memory and learning ability.
At the end of the study, the researchers examined the rats’ brain tissues for insights into the biological pathways involved.
The results suggest that vitamin K supplementation affects pathways involving the proteins NLRP3, caspase-1, and Nrf-2, which are involved in inflammation and antioxidant activity.
It also appears to promote the expression of tyrosine, an amino acid that helps preserve cognitive functions.
The team says further clinical studies will be required to assess the appropriate dosage for protection against Alzheimer’s, especially in those treated with vitamin K antagonists.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that 7 healthy habits could help lower dementia risk for people with diabetes, and this antibiotic drug may effectively treat common dementia.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that high doses of common depression drugs could temporarily switch off the brain, and results showing watch for these potential heart and brain problems after COVID-19.
The study was conducted by Mohamed El-Sherbiny et al.
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