Vitamin K linked to fewer varicose veins, better vascular health

Vitamin K linked to fewer varicose veins, better vascular health

23/08/2007 - Inactivation of a vitamin K-dependent protein may contribute to the development of varicose veins, says a new study that highlights the role of supplementation for improving vascular health.

The study, published in the Journal of Vascular Research, indicates that inadequate levels of vitamin K may reduce the activity of the matrix GLA protein (MGP) to reduce vascular proliferation and mineralisation, thereby stopping the development of varicosis.

Varicose veins have an estimated prevalence of between five to 30 per cent in the adult population, with women three times more likely to develop varicose veins than men.