Vitamin K

# What is vitamin K? Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and is essential for good blood clotting, bone formation and a healthy vascular system. Vitamin K is an umbrella term for two different forms: Vitamin K1 is mainly found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli, while vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods and animal products such as cheese and meat. Vitamin K is absorbed from food in the small intestine. In the cell, vitamin K is subject to a cycle that recycles the vitamin from a dormant form (vitamin K quinone) to an activated form (vitamin K hydroquinone), finally to an inactive form (vitamin K epoxide) and back to the dormant vitamin K. Finally, the cycle can begin again. Finally, the cycle can begin again, which means that the physiological requirement for vitamin K can be kept low by recycling. Only as an active vitamin (vitamin K hydroquinone) can the vitamin perform its functions in blood clotting, bone formation and the vascular system. The corresponding steps in the activation cycle of vitamin K are catalyzed by various enzymes. Different variants of the genes involved can influence the turnover of vitamin K, the level of activated vitamin K and the function of vitamin K-dependent proteins. A vitamin K deficiency can lead to bleeding disorders, an increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease. ## Examples of foods rich in vitamin K: > ## Good to know > > Vitamin K2 is produced to a small extent by our intestinal bacteria and therefore also contributes to meeting our needs. If the intestinal flora is disturbed (antibiotics, inflammation, irritable bowel syndrome, laxatives...), vitamin K2 synthesis is naturally impaired and vitamin K2 absorption is reduced. It is therefore important to ensure good intestinal flora or, if necessary, to supplement vitamin K2. # What do genetics have to do with it? We are investigating two genes related to vitamin K metabolism: The CYP4F2 gene (leukotriene B(-omega-hydroxylase1 gene)) carries the blueprint in cells for the enzyme CYP4F2, which inactivates vitamin K. This makes CYP4F2 an important negative regulator of circulating vitamin K levels. - Variant rs2108622 of the CYP4F2 gene: The genotype T/T shows a reduced activity of the enzyme and a higher level of active vitamin K. - Variant rs2108622 of the CYP4F2 gene: The genotype C/T shows normal activity of the enzyme and a normal vitamin K level. - Variant rs2108622 of the CYP4F2 gene: The genotype C/C shows a higher activity of the enzyme and a low vitamin K level. The VKORC1 gene (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex subunit 1 gene) carries the blueprint for the enzyme vitamin K epoxide reductase in the cells. The enzyme is involved in the regeneration of vitamin K in order to make it usable again. Genetic variations of the VKORC1 gene can influence the activity of the enzyme and consequently impair the vitamin K cycle. - Variant rs9923231 of the VKORC1 gene: Genotypes C/T and T/T show reduced activity of the enzyme and a low level of active vitamin K. This is equivalent to a vitamin K deficiency. - Variant rs9934438 of the VKORC1 gene: Genotypes A/G and A/A show reduced activity of the enzyme and a low level of active vitamin K. This is equivalent to a vitamin K deficiency.