Researchers Find That Low Vitamin K Intake May Impair Cognition
Green, leafy vegetables. (USDA Photo by Lance Cheung)
Within the next decade, it’s estimated that there will be more Americans over the age of 65 than under the age of 18, and health data trends show that many of these older adults will develop age-related cognitive impairments. Scientists at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently completed a study that showed a healthy diet could slow the progression of cognitive decline.
ARS scientists on the campus of Tufts University at the Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging found that a low intake of powerhouse Vitamin K has the potential to reduce cognition and alter several types of nerve cells.
Nutritionists and the health community have touted the benefits of Vitamin K for decades. This vitamin, found in produce like spinach, kale, collard greens, and broccoli, and soybean oil, is known to regulate blood coagulation. Research data from this study demonstrated that a long-term low intake of phylloquinone (the primary dietary source of Vitamin K in humans) impairs cognitive function and decreases the number of dividing cells and new neurons in the brain.
“This study found that those with a diet low in Vitamin K showed impaired recognition and spatial memory, which are two cognitive domains also impaired in older people,” said Research Psychologist Barbara Shukitt-Hale. “This research provides novel evidence that low vitamin K intake induces inflammation in the brain, which further impairs new neuron growth in an important area of the brain for learning and memory. Therefore, it is important for everyone to continue to eat their leafy greens and vegetables that contain vitamin K.”
Research data revealed that those with a low vitamin K diet had fewer newly generated neurons, or nerve cells, compared to other subjects in the study. They also had more activated brain immune cells, thus elevating neural inflammation which is known to be detrimental to learning and memory. These alterations may contribute to the age-related decline in learning and memory functions, which are consistent with previous reports from animal studies and human observational data.
Findings from this study will enhance scientific knowledge on potential Vitamin K-related results for preventing or weakening cognitive decline in aging.