How Vitamin K Helps Sharpen Your Memory

Evidence is emerging that this nutrient plays a key role in brain function

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Vitamin K is not the first thing you think of when seeking natural ways to strengthen your mental faculties. But that belies the considerable scientific literature documenting the potential of this workhorse of a vitamin, ploughing away under the radar.

There are two main forms of this fat-soluble vitamin: vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin K2 (menaquinone). When you read about requirements for vitamin K, you are almost certainly reading about the better known vitamin K1, which plays an important role in blood clotting.

VK1 is the form routinely given to newborn babies in case of haemorrhage after birth. It is more abundant in the diet than VK2 and is commonly found in dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale.

VK2 is much more complex. There are ten subgroups of VK2, ranging from MK-4 to MK-13. One of its roles is the regulation of calcium in the body to prevent the calcification of blood vessels and kidneys. Because it clears calcium from arteries, and calcium accumulation around the heart is a considerable risk factor for heart disease, VK2 helps protects against cardiovascular disease.