Researchers in Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, are trying to find out if Vitamin K supplement can be an inexpensive yet effective way to reduce the cardiovascular risk in obese children. They have strong evidence that this vitamin, which is made by bacteria present in gut can help to improve the sensitivity of insulin. At the same time, it also helps to reduce the lipid levels in the human blood.
Decreased insulin sensitivity, high blood levels of calcium and lipid as well as obesity are some of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Sixty candidates with higher fasting sugar levels have so far enrolled in the program. All participants are aged between 8 years to 17 years. Apparently, this is a huge of sign of increased diabetes risk at this very young age.
The scientists are going to hold an eight-week study where half of these affected children will get supplements of vitamin K2, which is the strongest version of vitamin K. The other half will be taking only a placebo. According to bone biologist, Dr. Norman Pollock, K2 is a rare vitamin which many people don’t take in sufficient quantity.
During this test, biologists will measure the result by testing the cardiovascular health. These include the blood levels of triglycerides, bad and good cholesterol and the production and sensitivity of insulin. The researchers think that this vitamin can have a great positive impact on the numbers and improve the risk for the youths.
Restricting the intake of calories and increasing the activity of the children are quite hard as they do not understand the importance of it. Even restricting the foods of the children while they are growing can also cause a lot of problems. Thus, according to the researchers, vitamin K supplements can help in lowering the obesity and also in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in children. While Dr. Pollock is still exploring the various potentials and benefits of Vitamin K supplements , he has already acquired clear evidence that this vitamin and physical exercise have many benefits in common.
There is another related research also going on in the Medical College of Georgia except this one. It is the supplementation of vitamin K in both children and adults of all types of weights. This is to observe who is getting better benefits. Vitamin K has shown a lot of improvement in the cognitive functions, as well. It also increases the carboxylation, a chemical reaction in which carbon is added. The result is to make the individual more active. Thus, vitamin K is undoubtedly a very important element in daily nutrition and its supplementation is very much required, especially for obese children.
About the author:
Tim Salivan is the editor of Spiqy.com, an online magazine about health, nutrition and technology related to wellness. Tim also writes in various health related blogs and has appeared on television programs to show how to save money when buying supplements.