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Vitamin K May Help Varicose Veins

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By: Sean Moloughney

Editor, Nutraceuticals World

P.L. Thomas has revealed the results of a new study published online in the Journal of Vascular Research, which links a vitamin K-dependent protein called matrix GLA protein (MGP) to increased mineralization of the smooth muscle cells in the vein wall, which may contribute to the development of varicose veins.

Varicose veins have an estimated prevalence of between 5% to 30% in the adult population, with a female to male predominance of 3 to 1. The exact mechanisms by which varicose veins develop are still unclear, although several risk factors are known to be involved, including genetic predispositions, age, obesity, physical activity, standing occupations, multiple pregnancies and connective tissue abnormalities.

According to Leon Schurgers, PhD, one of the authors of the paper: “Defects in the vein wall are indicated in varicosis, with a central role for the vitamin-K dependent protein MGP. MGP is important in relation to the health of the entire cardiovascular system. Previous studies from our group demonstrated the importance of MGP and vitamin K for the arterial vessel wall, and now we show that MGP and vitamin K could play a significant role in varicose veins. In addition to human studies showing significantly reduced cardiovascular risk factors with vitamin K2 consumption, this study builds upon our understanding the mechanisms of MGP.”

The researchers examined healthy human veins and varicose veins to identify genes in the vein’s smooth muscle cells that may be involved in the development of varicosis. Healthy vessels and varicose vessels were compared and inactive MGP was identified in the development of varicosis. Vitamin K is necessary to activate MGP, and thus adequate dietary intake of vitamin K is a necessary prerequisite. The researchers concluded that in varicose veins the local vascular vitamin K status was insufficient to activate all MGP, and that supplementation could restore the activity of MGP. Active MGP could inhibit both proliferation and mineralization of veins, thereby stopping the development of varicosis.

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