Life Extension Foundation reported that researchers with the German Cancer Research Center and the German Research Centre for Enviromental Health have discovered an association between reduced or low Vitamin K2 intake and an increased risk in dying from cancer.
The comprehensive research included 24,340 participants in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition, ages 35-64 with enrollment between 1994 and 1998. All were free of cancer at the time and were followed through 2008. Dietary questions asked throughout the tracking analyzed the intake of Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (menaquinones).
Those with the highest intake of Vitamin K2 had a 28% lower risk of dying of cancer, but especially Lung and Prostate cancer in men. This was attributed to the fact that the men had cancer sites more directly influenced by Vitamin K2 (lung and prostate) than women. There were no associations found between Vitamin K1 and cancer incidence or mortality, even though K1 is known to be the better in assisting the body in assimilating trace minerals.