A study has found that vitamin K may play an important role in the maintenance of skin health.
Scientists found that a vitamin K-dependent protein called matrix GLA protein (MGP) is linked to increased mineralisation of elastic fibres in the skin of patients with pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a progressive disorder characterised by calcium deposits in the elastic fibres of tissue.
MGP helps to prevent calcification and the researchers found that patients with PXE, who have severe wrinkling of their skin, have significantly lower blood levels of MGP.
The researchers therefore hypothesise that vitamin K may also be involved in maintaining the elasticity of skin in healthy people.
Dr Leon Schurgers, one of the study authors, said: "In healthy populations with vitamin K deficiency, and thus susceptible for high levels of inactive MGP, excess calcification can become a real health concern, particularly in regard to calcification of the arteries.
"Unfortunately, the western diet is likely deficient in adequate vitamin K for these needs."
Dr Schurgers emphasised the importance of consuming adequate amounts of vitamin K and noted that menaquinone-7 (MK-7), one of the main forms of the vitamin, is "the obvious choice for enrichment of dietary supplements and functional foods".
A study has found that vitamin K may play an important role in the maintenance of skin health.
