A new study from Tufts University has found that a diet lacking vitamin K may harm brain health as we age. Researchers conducted an experiment with mice, which showed that a vitamin K-deficient diet led to inflammation, impaired memory, and reduced birth of new brain cells in the hippocampus, a region crucial for learning.
The researchers are not recommending supplements yet but emphasize the importance of eating more vegetables to maintain brain sharpness into old age. Vitamin K, found in green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale, plays a role in blood clotting and may also support cardiovascular and joint health.
The study found that low vitamin K levels were linked to increased inflammation and reduced growth of new brain cells. Vitamin K’s protective effect on the brain is believed to contribute to its potential benefits against age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
The research team focused on a specific form of vitamin K, menaquinone-4, which is prevalent in brain tissue. They found significantly lower levels of this nutrient in the brains of vitamin K-deficient mice, associated with noticeable cognitive decline.
Additionally, the researchers observed increased neuroinflammation in the brains of vitamin K-deficient mice, which can lead to chronic inflammation and contribute to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.
The study’s authors emphasize that a healthy diet is still the best way to maintain brain health. They are working together with researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago to identify specific mechanisms and develop strategies for improving brain health long-term.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/what-happens-to-your-brain-without-vitamin-k-new-study-reveals-surprising-effects