New research from a leading aging and nutrition center at Tufts University reveals that vitamin K supports brain health, especially as people grow older. Known for its role in blood clotting, vitamin K appears to help maintain brain function. The findings stress eating green, leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and broccoli, which are rich in vitamin K.
Researchers studied the hippocampus, a brain region essential for memory and learning, using middle-aged rodents fed a diet low in vitamin K. They focused on menaquinone-4, a common vitamin K form in the brain, and observed notable changes in behavior and brain structure when this nutrient was scarce.
“Vitamin K seems to have a protective effect,” said the study’s lead author. “We’re exploring the mechanisms behind this to target them more precisely in the future.”
In memory tests, vitamin K-deficient mice showed clear declines. In a novel object recognition task, they struggled to distinguish new objects from familiar ones, signaling memory impairment. In a water maze, they took longer to find a submerged platform, indicating learning difficulties.
The study also found fewer new neurons forming in the hippocampus’s dentate gyrus, a key site for learning and memory. Neurogenesis—the birth of new neurons—is thought to support cognitive function, so its reduction could contribute to age-related decline, researchers noted.
Additionally, inflammation increased in vitamin K–deficient subjects. Overactive microglia, the brain’s immune cells, produced chronic inflammation, a condition linked to aging and neurodegenerative risk.
Experts caution against jumping to vitamin K supplements. “People should focus on a healthy, varied diet and eat their vegetables,” commented a senior author and director of the research center. The team is collaborating with a major U.S. university on human observational studies to better understand how diet influences long-term brain health.
For Thai readers, the message is practical: include vitamin K–rich foods such as kale and collard greens, along with locally available options like bok choy and certain leafy lettuces. These can easily fit into Thai meals, reinforcing brain health as part of daily living.
The broader takeaway is clear: prioritize whole, minimally processed foods to support cognitive vitality in later life. A nutrient-dense, vegetable-forward diet, rich in vitamin K, may contribute to sharper thinking and a better quality of life as we age.
To apply these insights, Thai families can start by adding more green vegetables to everyday meals, balance meals with varied nutrients, and choose locally grown greens to support overall well-being.