In recent years, our knowledge regarding the physiological role of vitamin K has expanded beyond regulation of coagulation to include many other aspects of human health. In the present review, we aimed to evaluate the existing evidence for beneficial effects of vitamin K on type 2 diabetes and components of the metabolic syndrome as risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Increased dietary intake of vitamin K has been linked to lower incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), possibly through its enhancement of insulin production and sensitivity. Additionally, higher plasma levels of vitamin K1 have been associated with lower T2DM risk and decreased insulin resistance, and supplementation trials also suggest a positive influence of vitamin K on glucose regulation. Vitamin K might also beneficially affect serum lipids and lipid metabolism. However, the available data remain controversial. Additionally, different studies use different approaches to assess vitamin K status owing to the absence of a generally accepted marker, which further complicates data evaluation. In conclusion, vitamin K possibly improves glucose and lipid metabolism and could be an emerging target in the context of prevention and control of T2DM, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.

近年来，我们对维生素 K 的生理作用的了解已经从凝血调节扩展到人类健康的许多其他方面。在本综述中，我们旨在评估维生素 K 对 2 型糖尿病和代谢综合征成分作为心血管疾病危险因素的有益作用的现有证据。维生素 K 的膳食摄入量增加与 2 型糖尿病 (T2DM) 的发病率降低有关，这可能是通过提高胰岛素的产生和敏感性。此外，较高的血浆维生素 K1 水平与较低的 T2DM 风险和降低的胰岛素抵抗有关，补充试验也表明维生素 K 对葡萄糖调节有积极影响。维生素 K 也可能有益地影响血清脂质和脂质代谢。然而，现有的数据仍然存在争议。此外，由于缺乏普遍接受的标志物，不同的研究使用不同的方法来评估维生素 K 的状态，这进一步使数据评估复杂化。总之，维生素 K 可能改善糖脂代谢，并可能成为预防和控制 2 型糖尿病、胰岛素抵抗和血脂异常的新兴靶点。