Association between vitamin K intake from fermented soybeans, natto, and bone mineral density in elderly Japanese men: the Fujiwara-kyo Osteoporosis Risk in Men (FORMEN) study
Osteoporosis International; DOI: 10.1007/s00198-011-1594-1Online First™
Y. Fujita, M. Iki, J. Tamaki, K. Kouda, A. Yura, E. Kadowaki, Y. Sato, J.-S. Moon, K. Tomioka and N. Okamoto, et al.
Summary
A cross-sectional analysis of 1,662 community dwelling elderly Japanese men suggested that habitual natto intake was significantly associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD). When adjustment was made for undercarboxylated osteocalcin levels, this association was insignificant, showing the natto–bone association to be primarily mediated by vitamin K.
Introduction
Low vitamin K intake is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture, but reports have been inconsistent on its effect on BMD. Our first aim was to examine the association between BMD and intake of fermented soybeans, natto, which contain vitamin K1 (20 ?g/pack) and K2 (380 ?g/pack). Our second aim was to examine the association between undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC), a biomarker of vitamin K intake, and BMD to evaluate the role of vitamin K in this association.
Methods
Of the Japanese men aged ?65 years who participated in the baseline survey of the Fujiwara-kyo Osteoporosis Risk in Men study, 1,662 men without diseases or medications known to affect bone metabolism were examined for associations between self-reported natto intake or serum ucOC levels with lumbar spine or hip BMD.
Results
The subjects with greater intake of natto showed significantly lower level of serum ucOC. Analysis after adjustment for confounding variables showed an association of greater intake of natto with both significantly higher BMD and lower risk of low BMD (T-score?<??1 SD) at the total hip and femoral neck. This association became insignificant after further adjustment for ucOC level.
Conclusion
Habitual intake of natto was associated with a beneficial effect on bone health in elderly men, and this association is primarily due to vitamin K content of natto, although the lack of information on dietary nutrient intake, including vitamin K1 and K2, prevented us from further examining the association.
See also Vitamin D Life
Items in both categories Bone and Vitamin K are listed here:
- Bone increased : Stiffness (Vitamin D), Flexibility (Vitamin K2) – Sept 2020
- Bone quality improved 2X by Vitamin D plus Vitamin K2 (trend) – meta-analysis March 2020
- Vitamin D and Calcium do not increase bone density (also need exercise, Mg, K2, protein etc.) – RCT Aug 2019
- Vitamin K (any amount and any kind) reduced bone fractures by 24 percent – meta-analysis – May 2019
- Calcium Supplementation is OK provided you also take Vitamin K – Feb 2019
- Hard bones, soft arteries, rather than vice versa (Vitamin D and Vitamin K) – March 2016
- Many seniors do not get enough protein, Vitamin D, Mg, etc. needed for bones – Feb 2019
- Adding just vitamin D again failed to add bone density (also need Magnesium, Vitamin K, etc) – RCT Aug 2018
- Osteocalcin – overview of the hormone needed to build bones, etc. Jan 2018
- Vitamin K and bone – review Oct 2017
- Bone formation in the lab is aided by Vitamin D, Vitamin K1, and Vitamin K2 – meta-analysis Nov 2017
- Better bones again associated with higher vitamin K intake – Nov 2015
- Vitamin K-2 – bone biomarkers indicate at least 600 ug of MK-4 are needed daily – Sept 2014
- Vitamin K2 (as MK-7) is needed for bone quality – Review Feb 2013
- Increased Vitamin K2 reduces the problems of excess Calcium – Nov 2013
- Vitamin K and bone health – need more research Oct 2013
- Vitamin K-2 (180 ug MK-7) helped both bone density and strength – RCT March 2013
- Healthy bones need Ca, Silicon, Vitamins B, C, D, and K – Dec 2012
- Increasing bone mineral density increases breast cancer by at least 2X – Aug 2012
- Healthy bones need: Calcium, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Silicon, Vitamin K, and Boron – 2012
- Vitamin D, K2, Magnesium, etc increase bone density when taking together– Jan 2012
- BONE SPURS not produced if have enough Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, etc. – Nov 2011
- Vitamin K1 reduced hip fracture but Vitamin K2 did not – Aug 2011
- Women with hip fractures very low on vitamins D3 and K – Mar 2011
- Vitamin K2 from natto improved bone mineral density – March 2011