Besides blood clotting, what specific function related to skeletal strength does Vitamin K support in bone metabolism?

Supporting the function of osteocalcin for bone mineralization

While Vitamin K's role in activating clotting factors is widely known, its contribution to skeletal maintenance is equally significant. In the context of bone health, Vitamin K functions as a necessary cofactor for the post-translational modification of specific proteins integral to bone structure. Chief among these is osteocalcin, a protein synthesized by osteoblasts. Vitamin K ensures that osteocalcin becomes functionally active through carboxylation, enabling it to bind calcium effectively. This binding action is a critical step in the process of bone mineralization, where calcium is properly integrated into the bone matrix, thus directly contributing to long-term skeletal strength.