The Vitamin–Liver Cancer Link I Didn’t Expect
Physionic
May 4, 2026
Episode description
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0:00 - Introduction
0:50 - Vitamin K and Liver Cancer: Why?
2:55 - 11 Studies say Yes or No?
4:36 - Biggest Study on the Block Disagrees
6:05 - I Have Liver Cancer, Still Applies?
7:05 - Never Had Liver Cancer, Still Applies?
Vitamin K on Cardiovascular Disease: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdaQzmAHieM&t=1s
References^
*Full Funding/Conflicts are provided in the free article (found in email list and Physionic Community Article Library)
[Study 717] Haruna Y, Yakushijin T, Yamakawa M, Nakazawa T. Anticancer effects of vitamin K combined with transarterial chemoembolization in hepatocellular carcinoma, a randomized controlled trial. Br J Cancer. 2025;132:1141-1147. doi:10.1038/s41416-025-03022-4
[Study 718] Haruna Y, Yakushijin T, Kawamoto S, et al. Efficacy and safety of sorafenib plus vitamin K treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: a phase II, randomized study. Cancer Med. 2021;10:914-922. doi:10.1002/cam4.3674
[Study 719] de Moraes FCA, Sano VKT, Pereira CRM, Barros JCM, Burbano RMR. Vitamin K2 supplementation and clinical outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: a meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis. Nutr Cancer. 2026;78(3):208-220. doi:10.1080/01635581.2025.2600102 .
[Study 720] Habu D, Shiomi S, Tamori A, et al. Role of vitamin K2 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in women with viral cirrhosis of the liver. JAMA. 2004;292(3):358-361.
Funding/Conflicts: Public Funding: From the study, the work was supported in part by a grant from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare; Non-Profit Funding: From the study, no non-profit funding source was reported; Industry Funding: From the study, no industry funding source was reported, and no author conflicts of interest were reported in the accessible study record.
[Study 721] Hosho K, Okano J, Koda M, Murawaki Y. Vitamin K2 has no preventive effect on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after effective treatment. Yonago Acta Med. 2008;51:95-99.
[Study 722] Ishizuka M, Kubota K, Shimoda M, Kita J, Kato M, Park KH, et al. Effect of menatetrenone, a vitamin K2 analog, on recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Anticancer Res. 2012;32:5415-5420.
[Study 723] Mizuta T, Ozaki I, Eguchi Y, et al. The effect of menatetrenone, a vitamin K2 analog, on disease recurrence and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after curative treatment: a pilot study. Cancer. 2006;106(4):867-872. doi:10.1002/cncr.21667
[Study 724] Yoshida H, Shiratori Y, Kudo M, et al. Effect of vitamin K2 on the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology. 2011;54(2):532-540.
[Study 725] Yoshiji H, Noguchi R, Toyohara M, et al. Combination of vitamin K2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor ameliorates cumulative recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma. J Hepatol. 2009;51(2):315-321. doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2009.04.011
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Disclaimer: None of the information provided by this brand is a replacement for your physician's advice. This brand is information for the sake of knowledge and the options of choice it provides, not in any way a personalized prescription. Please consult your physician before making any health related changes.
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Investigate vitamin K's potential in preventing liver cancer
A single small study on women with liver disease provides early, but limited, evidence that vitamin K may be protective against developing initial liver cancer.
Utilize vitamin K2 in daily doses of 30mg to 90mg for optimal health
The studies most commonly used vitamin K2 in doses ranging from 30mg to 90mg per day, often split into two or three doses in capsule form.
Utilize vitamin K during liver cancer treatment for effectiveness
Evidence suggests vitamin K is more effective when used alongside treatment for existing liver cancer, rather than as a preventative measure after cancer treatment has concluded.
Incorporate vitamin K to halt cancer cell division
Vitamin K is believed to initiate cell cycle arrest in cancer cells by reducing the production of a critical protein called cyclin D1, which signals the cell to divide.
Utilize vitamin K to reprogram cancer cells for controlled growth
Vitamin K can force undifferentiated cancer cells to take on a specific identity, like a liver cell, which programs them to stop their uncontrolled division.
Reject vitamin K supplementation for liver cancer recurrence prevention
The largest and most influential randomized controlled trial in the meta-analysis showed no benefit from vitamin K supplementation in preventing liver cancer recurrence.
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