February 11, 2021
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- Of 50 surveyed dermatology patients who were advised to engage in sun protection and vitamin D supplementation, only 4 reported being aware of the role of vitamin K2 in vitamin D metabolism.
- As data mount showing that vitamin K2 has a synergistic effect with vitamin D, it is important for clinicians to know that most patients do not eat a diet with adequate vitamin K2, which is found in organ meats and certain dairy products. The authors generally suggest supplementing with vitamin K2 100 mcg daily for patients without contraindications, especially those at high risk for osteoporosis or vascular calcification, for whom the authors recommend stringent sun protection.
– Caroline K. Crabtree, MD
Abstract
Dermatologists often recommend vitamin D for sun-protected patients. Most patients are not aware of the key role vitamin K2 plays in vitamin D metabolism and do not receive sufficient dietary vitamin K2. A survey of 50 sun-protecting patients shows 4/50 understood the role of vitamin K2 and 1/50 was supplementing vitamin K2. Therefore, counseling on vitamin K2 supplementation may be of benefit to sun-protected dermatology patients.