We explored the effect of dietary intake of menaquinone, commonly known as vitamin K2, on heart attack risk and overall heart health. The investigation drew on data from the Rotterdam Study, tracking 4,807 individuals who did not have prior heart attacks.
Through careful analysis, we observed a noteworthy finding: people who consumed higher amounts of menaquinone had a significantly reduced risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and all-cause mortality. Specifically, those in the mid to upper intake levels of menaquinone exhibited a risk reduction of 27% and 57% for heart-related deaths compared to those with lower intake.
Interestingly, we found that menaquinone intake also seemed to correlate with lower instances of severe aortic calcification, suggesting its potential role in preventing vascular issues. On the other hand, our analysis indicated that phylloquinone, or vitamin K1, did not show any significant relationship with these health outcomes.
These findings underscore the importance of adequate menaquinone consumption as a potential strategy for heart attack prevention and cardiovascular health improvement.