Abstract
Aging is often associated with loss in function in a variety of systems. Many of these losses can be managed with the use of a variety of drugs that can affect the need for certain nutrients. Of interest is the possible drug- and age-related change in vitamin K need. This vitamin plays an important role in the postcarboxylation of glutamic acid residues in a small number of proteins that are important to blood coagulation, bone formation, and maintenance and seems to play a role as an anti-inflammatory agent. When an anti-vitamin K drug is used to control clotting, there may be effects on the actions of these other vitamin K-dependent proteins. This then raises the question of whether aging carries with it an increased need for this vitamin.