Cracuin, A. M., Wolf, J., Knapen, M. H., Brouns, F., & Vermeer, C. (1008). Improved bone metabolism in female elite athletes after vitamin K supplementation. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 19, 479-484.

Female athletes, four had been amenorrhoeic for more than one year (low-estrogen) , and the other four had been using oral contraceptives, received vitamin K supplements (10 mg/d) for one month. Various bone markers were measured before and during treatment.

In all Ss, there was an increase in calcium-binding capacity of osteocalcin. In the low-estrogen group, vitamin K supplementation induced a 15-20% increase of bone formation markers and a 20-25% decrease of bone resorption markers.

Implication. Vitamin K supplementation improves bone formation characteristics in amenorrhoeic female athletes.

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