Evidence check: VKORC1 in the context of gut health

VKORC1 encodes vitamin K epoxide reductase, a key enzyme in the vitamin K cycle. Vitamin K is crucial for blood clotting and bone metabolism, but also for certain proteins in the gut that may influence cell integrity and inflammatory processes. However, a direct link between VKORC1 variants and gut health is not supported by robust human studies. Evidence is limited to mechanistic reasoning: vitamin K-dependent proteins like osteocalcin or Gas6 could modulate gut barrier and microbiome. Current research focuses on warfarin dosing and cardiovascular risk. For gut health, factors like diet, microbiome, and lifestyle are far more relevant than single VKORC1 SNPs. No evidence-based recommendation for supplementation or dietary change based on VKORC1 exists. Beware of overblown claims from direct-to-consumer tests.