From the Guidelines
There is currently no established dose of vitamin K specifically for reducing the size of atherosclerotic plaques. While some research suggests vitamin K may play a role in vascular health by preventing calcium deposition in arteries, clinical evidence is insufficient to recommend it as a treatment for existing atherosclerotic plaques 1. The most effective approaches for managing atherosclerosis remain lifestyle modifications (healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation), along with medications like statins, antiplatelet agents, or blood pressure medications as prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Key Points to Consider
- Vitamin K does have important functions in blood clotting and bone health, with recommended daily allowances being 120 mcg for adult men and 90 mcg for adult women, but these doses are not therapeutic for plaque reduction.
- A dose of vitamin K administered either orally as a 10-mg tablet or 10-mg IV can be effective in correcting hemostatic defects in vitamin K–deficient patients, but this is not directly related to atherosclerotic plaque size reduction 1.
- If you're concerned about atherosclerosis, consult with a healthcare provider who can recommend evidence-based treatments tailored to your specific cardiovascular risk factors rather than relying on vitamin K supplementation alone.
Additional Considerations
- Fresh frozen plasma is not recommended to correct any coagulation factor deficiency due to the substantial increase in portal pressure after infusion 1.
- The use of vitamin K antagonists, such as warfarin, is suggested for initiating anticoagulant therapy in patients who are sufficiently healthy to be treated as outpatients, with a dose of 10 mg 1. However, this is not directly related to reducing the size of atherosclerotic plaques.
From the FDA Drug Label
Dosage and Administration: Usual adult dose is 2 dropperfuls or 2 mL daily. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Vitamin K Dosage for Atherosclerotic Plaques
- The ideal dosage of vitamin K for lowering the size of atherosclerotic plaques is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- However, study 2 investigated the effects of MK-7 supplementation on arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women, using a dosage of 180 µg MenaQ7/day for three years.
- Study 3 compared the bioavailability of synthetic and fermentation-derived MK-7, using a single 180 μg dose, and found that synthetic MK-7 is bioequivalent to fermentation-derived MK-7.
- Study 4 discussed the health-beneficial effects of vitamin K2-7, but did not specify a particular dosage for lowering atherosclerotic plaques.
- Study 5 investigated the bioavailability and endogenous circadian rhythm of MK-7, using a single 1 mg dose, but did not provide information on the optimal dosage for atherosclerotic plaque reduction.
- Study 6 reviewed the safety evaluation of menaquinone-7, but did not provide information on the optimal dosage for atherosclerotic plaque reduction.
Key Findings
- MK-7 supplementation has been shown to improve arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women 2.
- Synthetic MK-7 is bioequivalent to fermentation-derived MK-7 3.
- Vitamin K2-7 has health-beneficial effects in various diseases, including cardiovascular disease 4.
- MK-7 is absorbed with peak plasma concentrations at about 6 h after intake and has a very long half-life time 5.