Target Audience

Healthcare professionals.

Educational Need

Vitamin K2 is an emerging area of research with growing evidence suggesting potential benefits across several aspects of health, including cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, bone metabolism, and gastrointestinal health. Vascular calcification is a significant contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and identifying strategies to reduce or slow this process is particularly important for high-risk populations. Research indicates that vitamin K2 may help regulate calcium deposition in blood vessels and support the activation of proteins that maintain vascular health. This may be especially relevant for patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy, as warfarin interferes with vitamin K-dependent processes and has been associated with increased vascular calcification. Vitamin K2 may also help mitigate age-related calcification and promote healthy aging.

Beyond cardiovascular health, emerging research suggests that vitamin K2 may have broader implications for bone health, insulin sensitivity, neurodegenerative disease prevention, and potentially certain cancer-related outcomes. While many of these findings require further investigation, the expanding body of literature highlights the need for healthcare providers to understand the current evidence, potential mechanisms of action, and appropriate clinical applications of vitamin K2.

Despite increasing research interest, awareness of vitamin K2 among healthcare professionals remains limited. Most providers receive little formal education regarding vitamin K2, its physiological functions, or its potential therapeutic applications. As a result, opportunities to incorporate evidence-based recommendations related to vitamin K2 into patient care may be overlooked. Providers also need a better understanding of patient populations that may benefit most from supplementation, as well as considerations related to personalized medicine and medication management.

A primary barrier to implementation is lack of provider knowledge. Clinicians who are unfamiliar with vitamin K2 are unlikely to discuss it with patients or consider its potential role in treatment plans. Additionally, many providers prescribe anticoagulants such as warfarin without fully understanding the long-term effects of vitamin K antagonism on vascular health. Although further research is needed to establish definitive clinical guidelines, educating providers about the current evidence surrounding vitamin K2 can increase awareness, support informed clinical decision-making, and encourage further research into its potential applications. Expanding provider knowledge is a critical first step toward improving patient outcomes and advancing understanding of this promising area of nutritional and preventive medicine.

Learning Objectives

1. Define vitamin K2.
2. State its mechanism of action.
3. Attain vitamin K2 through supplementation and diet.
4. Describe conditions vitamin K2 may help prevent, slow down, or treat.
5. Identify patients with, or at risk for, conditions that vitamin K2 may positively affect.
6. Describe how vitamin K2 is a relatively low-risk option to recommend to patients, along with deployment rationale for its use.

Speaker

Joshua Englehart
Physician Assistant Student, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Faculty Advisor

Laura Delaney, PA-C, MPAS
Director of Clinical Education, Physician Assistant Program, Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences

Ms. Delaney has reviewed the slides for completeness, clinical accuracy, and recommended action. 

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Recording date: June 16, 2026
Date of original release: June 16, 2026
Most recent review/update: June 16, 2026
Termination date: June 15, 2029