What role does VKORC1 play in gut health?

VKORC1 encodes vitamin K epoxide reductase, a key enzyme for recycling vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for activating clotting factors and vitamin K-dependent proteins (e.g., osteocalcin, matrix Gla protein). A direct role for VKORC1 in gut health is not established by current evidence. Some vitamin K-dependent proteins may influence gut inflammation or microbiome composition, but this remains speculative and lacks robust human data. VKORC1 polymorphisms are primarily studied for warfarin sensitivity, not gut function. Evidence is unclear. Without specific genotype and clinical context, no meaningful conclusion about gut health can be drawn. Consumer DNA tests listing VKORC1 often overstate its relevance.