Dietary Vitamin K is Inversely Associated with a Biomarker of Neurodegeneration

by | Dec 11, 2024 | 2024, Brain Health, Recent Articles, Vitamin K, Vitamins

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Linear regression model showed a significant negative association between vitamin K consumption and serum light chain neurofilament concentration (p<0.05).

vitamin KNeurofilaments are essential building blocks for neurons1,2. Injury to the nervous system can lead to release of neurofilament light chain proteins into the cerebrospinal fluid3. Because of this, it is proposed that neurofilament light chain is a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases4. Menaquinone and phylloquinone are two biological forms of vitamin K produced by photosynthetic organisms5. In the brain, menaquinone-4 is the most common form6. Previous research has demonstrated an inverse relationship between cognitive function and vitamin K consumption7-9. Although the importance of vitamin K and neurofilaments on human health are well known, understanding the relationship between these two components is still ongoing. In the current study, researchers evaluated the relationship between dietary vitamin K and serum neurofilament light chain in the US population5.

Researchers utilized data from the NHANES database for this analysis. Researchers focused on the 2013-2014 cycle of NHANES since serum neurofilament light chain was measured during that cycle. All participants underwent two 24-hour dietary recall interviews at baseline (in-person) and 3-10 days later via phone interview. Information gathered from dietary recall interviews was used to calculate total vitamin K consumption. Blood samples were also taken. Light chain neurofilament concentration was measured in all except 27 participants whose concentration fell below the lower limit of quantification (<3.9pcg/mL). Demographic data, medical history, and anthropometric measurements was also collected at baseline. Linear regression modeling was used to assess the association between vitamin K intake and serum light chain neurofilament concentration.

Of 5,769 individual datasets, data from 1,533 participants were analyzed for this investigation. Participants were categorized into quartiles based on vitamin K intake with Q1 representative of the lowest intake and Q4 representative of highest intake. The median dietary intake of vitamin K was 81.6mcg/d and the median serum light chain neurofilament was 12.0pcg/mL. Overall, individuals in Q4 were more likely to be non-Hispanic white, higher income earners (≥$55,000), had education above high school diploma, and overall higher energy intake compared to individuals in Q1. Individuals in Q4 also had lower serum light chain neurofilament concentration compared to participants in Q1. Linear regression model showed a significant negative association between vitamin K consumption and serum light chain neurofilament concentration even after adjusting for all confounders (Q4: beta= -4.92, p= 0.002). The negative association between dietary vitamin K and serum light chain neurofilament was evident in every subgroup of education, BMI, family income, smoking, alcohol, and diabetes status. The interaction was pronounced in individuals aged 46-75years old (p= 0.012), who had BMI ≥30 (p= 0.016), diabetes (p= 0.016), or CVD (p= 0.003). Researchers also observed a dose response curve where serum light chain neurofilament concentration decreases as dietary vitamin K intake increases up to 200mcg/day. Above 200mcg/d intake of vitamin K, no significant reduction in serum light chain neurofilament concentration was observed. Sensitivity analysis maintained the significant negative association between dietary vitamin K and serum light chain neurofilament concentration.

Overall, data from the NHANES study cycle between 2013- 2014 showed that serum light chain neurofilament concentration decreased with an increase in dietary vitamin K up to 200mcg/d. Results also suggest a significant affect among middle-aged and older adults. Additional studies will be needed to verify these findings.

Source: Luo, Jing, and Song Lin. “Dietary vitamin K intake is associated with decreased neurofilament light chain among middle-aged and older adults from the NHANES.” Frontiers in Nutrition 11 (2024): 1396707.

© 2024 Luo and Lin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted December 11, 2024.

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

References:

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