Cardiovascular calcification prevention

A hypothetical category for prevention of arterial calcium deposition. Marketing argument from K2 manufacturers: vitamin K2 activates matrix Gla protein, which inhibits vascular calcification. Clinical evidence in people without chronic kidney disease is limited.

1 drug

Also known as: Vascular calcification prevention

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

DMenaquinone (vitamin K2)Not recommended · Vitamins. γ-glutamyl carboxylase cofactorMenaquinone (vitamin K2) is a fat-soluble vitamin involved in calcium metabolism. It's promoted as a supplement to prevent vascular calcification, with the idea that K2 routes calcium into bone rather than the artery wall. So far this use hasn't shown convincing benefit – there's no solid evidence that taking K2 reduces vascular calcification or cardiovascular risk. The substance itself is harmless at these doses. What actually lowers vascular calcification is managing blood pressure, lipids and blood sugar, quitting smoking and staying physically active – worth discussing with your doctor. Don't take menaquinone in place of treatment with proven benefit, since that risks missing the care you need. Important: vitamin K reduces the effect of warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists; patients on these anticoagulants, including those with a mechanical heart valve, must not take vitamin K supplements without medical agreement.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit