Vitamin K is not only necessary for healthy bones and the vascular system, but it can keep them flexible, subsequently improving mobility. A new study examined the link between the vitamin K provision of the elderly and their mobility.  

To determine the level of vitamin K in the participants, the researchers measured vitamin K1 and a protein linked to vitamin K1 in their blood, then sorted them into 4 categories. To measure their mobility, two tests followed each other twice a year: participants had to walk 400 meters, then go up 10 stairs without stopping to rest. 

Mobility was determined based on whether the two tasks caused any difficulty; participants who were unable to complete them were sorted into a distinct category. From people with the lowest vitamin K levels, one and a half more had difficulty completing the exercises and nearly twice as many of them couldn’t complete the exercises at all.   

The study was inspired by earlier observational studies which noted that the risk of chronic illness which limits mobility was higher in people with a low vitamin K level. This study further proves that vitamin K intake is extremely important and can help us stay agile as we age.