In the context of bone integrity, what structural protein central to healthy bone tissue has Vitamin K identified as a required component in watercress?
Osteocalcin
Vitamin K, supplied in high quantities by watercress (often over 100% of the RDI in one serving), is crucial for skeletal health beyond its well-known role in blood clotting. The text highlights that Vitamin K serves as a structural component of osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is a protein that is central to maintaining healthy bone tissue and is responsible for the regulation of bone turnover—the continuous process of bone formation and resorption. This structural involvement means that adequate Vitamin K intake is essential for the proper function of this bone-building protein. Data reinforces this connection, showing that individuals with the highest intake of Vitamin K reported a significantly lower likelihood, specifically 35% less, of experiencing a hip fracture compared to those with the lowest intake.
