High vitamin K intake cuts fracture risk in older women: Australian study
The protective effect was independent of calcium intake and vitamin D status, say authors
Older women who consume more than 100μg of vitamin K1 each day face half the long-term risk of hip fractures than those with a recommended daily intake of 60μg, researchers report.
Their observational study involving some 1400 participants shows that higher dietary levels of vitamin K1 cut the risk of hip fracture-related hospitalisation by 49%.
The Edith Cowan University and the University of WA-led team says the results call into question current NHMRC guidelines that recommend consuming 60μg/day for women.
“Such intakes may be inadequate”, they wrote in Food and Function, adding that this was half the daily intake promoted to women aged 50 and over in the US.
