What is Vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin in two major forms: vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone). Vitamin K1 is found predominantly in plant foods and green vegetables. Vitamin K2 is synthesised by intestinal bacteria and found in certain animal and fermented foods [1, 2].
What Does Vitamin K do?
Vitamin K, as a cofactor, is involved in many of our vital cell functions. Among its most famed roles is blood clotting, when vitamin K helps produce clotting factors in the liver; this, in turn, reduces the risk of bleeding inside or outside the body [3].
Other than for blood clotting, a significant function of Vitamin K is to protect bone health. It is required for the carboxylation of the bone regulatory protein, osteocalcin, which determines bone mineral accretion via mechanisms leading to the differentiation of osteoblasts to osteocytes and in opposing osteoclastogenesis (the development of osteoclasts that act on bone resorption) [1].
Moreover, Vitamin K protects against cardiovascular disease. It is a co-factor of the enzyme γ-glutamyl carboxylase, which converts various vitamin K-dependent blood vessel proteins into active forms [4].
New findings also indicate that Vitamin K could be preventive and therapeutic against numerous diseases, such as infections, inflammation and autoimmune disorders [5].
What are Eye Circles?
Now to the dark circles, eye lesions or eye circles – conditions characterised by the darkening of the so-called infraorbital eyelid, the skin under the eye rim. They are usually denoted by significant colour desaturation of the dark circle region. It’s also quite common to see elevated values of colour divergence (deviation) between dark circles and surrounding (reference) areas of skin [6].
Causes of Eye Circles
The aetiopathogenesis of dark circles beneath the eyes is multifactorial. Heredity plays the primary role. Family history confers the greatest risk of dark circles; the mean age of onset is 24 years [7].
Hyperpigmentation is another important factor. A higher melanin index in subjects with dark under-eye areas implies hyperpigmentation [6].
Dark circles are also associated with more dilated, thicker or larger total capillaries, as suggested by a greater haemoglobin index and preliminary estimations of the vascular network [6].
In addition to less fat, thinner skin contributes; ultrasound studies have shown that those with dark circles have thin skin, whereas those who don’t have dark circles have much thicker skin [6].
Other causes include lack of sleep, stress, allergies, disease, and ageing. As people age, they lose fat and collagen, and their skin can become thinner; in turn, the reddish-blue vessels beneath can become more visible [8, 9].
Does Vitamin Deficiency Cause Eye Circles?
Nutritional deficiencies, especially a lack of vitamin supplements, can contribute to dark circles, causing irritating shadows under the eyes, as well as ageing, exhaustion, and genetic predisposition.
Vitamin C is another nutrient thought to help under-eye circles. It could reduce their appearance by stimulating collagen production to make skin look more vibrant and fade skin discolouration [10]. A study published in 2004 showed that a gel with 0.1% vitamin C moderately improved dark circles under the eyes in healthy Japanese people [11, 12].
Vitamin K has been known to reduce dark under-eye circles, providing blood-clotting action essential to healing and overcoming skin problems [13].
Still, while these vitamins can help lessen dark circles, they are not a miracle cure. Dark circles can be caused by multiple issues, meaning that addressing vitamin deficiencies alone might not fully scuttle those shadows.
Can Vitamin K help with Eye Circles?
Vitamin K is often included in eye creams for its healing properties; it has been used to eliminate the remnants of a bruise and is known for stopping blood clotting. [14] This same ability makes it a powerful component against dark circles.
According to a 2015 study, an anti-wrinkle and dark circle eye pad containing 3% caffeine and 1% vitamin K has been proven to improve the eye counter's appearance and anti-dark circle capacity [15].
Another study conducted in 2004 found that a gel made of 2% phytonadione (a form of Vitamin K), 0.1% retinol, and 0.1% vitamins C and E was somewhat or very effective in reducing dark under-eye circles, particularly in haemostasis, compared with placebo, after a short-term intervention period in healthy Japanese adults [11].
Still, it is worth remembering that circles can have more than one cause, so any wonder vitamin may bring no more relief than benefit if thinning skin is one of your bugaboos. Then again, a gentle retinoid in an eye cream may work better [14].
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Vitamin K can potentially help with under-eye circles, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness and the optimal dosage and application method.