title: Vitamin K, osteoporosis and degenerative diseases of ageing.
abstract: The function of vitamin K is to serve as a co-factor during the post-translational carboxylation of glutamate (Glu) residues into γ-carboxyglutamate (Gla) residues. The vital importance of the Gla-proteins essential for normal haemostasis is well recognized. During recent years, new Gla-containing proteins have been discovered and the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation is also essential for their function. It seems, however, that our dietary vitamin K intake is too low to support the carboxylation of at least some of these Gla-proteins. According to the triage theory, long-term vitamin K inadequacy is an independent, but modifiable risk factor for the development of degenerative diseases of ageing including osteoporosis and atherosclerosis.
authors.affiliation: VitaK, Maastricht University, Oxfordlaan 70, 6229 EV Maastricht, The Netherlands. c.vermeer@vitak.com
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vermeer
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Theuwissen
mesh_terms: D015055:1-Carboxyglutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000378:metabolism*; D014813:Vitamin K Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014815:Vitamins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D014812:Vitamin K; D015055:1-Carboxyglutamic Acid