A method for rapidly improving cardiovascular function, reducing arterial stiffness and reversing calcification of a blood vessel in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of vitamin K for a period of less than 6 months. Also a method for increasing endothelial nitric oxide production in mammals comprising administering to the mammal an effective amount of vitamin K for a period of less than 6 months. The vitamin K can be administered together with additional substances such as vitamin D.

The invention encompasses compositions and methods for effectively treating and/or preventing the development and/or progression of osteoporosis and related disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, and for promoting overall bone and joint health. This is accomplished by addressing multiple key mechanisms that lead to such disorders. The invention includes compositions comprising a combination of agents having biological activities that effectively suppress, regulate or interfere with the various key biochemical processes and mechanisms that increase the risk for development and/or progression of osteoporosis. The present compositions and methods simultaneously promote bone formation and reduce bone resorption by (a) stimulating osteoblast formation and osteogenesis; (b) suppressing adipocyte differentiation; (c) inhibiting osteoclast formation; and (d) increasing apoptosis of osteoclasts. The inventive compositions used for administration to human and other mammalian subjects having or at risk for development of osteoporosis comprise (1) at least one agent capable of modulating expression and/or activity of one or more of peroxisome activated protein receptor gamma (PPAR-), CAAT/enhancer binding protein- (C/EBP) and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein (SREBP-1); (2) at least one agent that activates expression and/or activity of one or more of the osteogenic transcription factors (Runx2/Cbf1, Dlx5, Osterix, Msx2); (3) at least one agent that activates expression and/or activity of one or more of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs: BMP 2 and 4), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteocalcin; (4) at least one agent capable of activating Wnt/-catenin signaling pathway; (5) at least one agent that inhibits the activity of pro-oxidants including reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species (ROS); (6) at least one agent that suppresses one or more of inflammatory mediators including interleukins IL-1, IL-1, IL-6, NF-B, TNF-, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2); and (7) at least one agent that induces the expression of and/or activates one or more of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin (SIRT1) and adiponectin (AP).

A compound composition for improving bone health and preparation and application thereof are provided. The compound composition is prepared by combining a traditional Chinese medicine extract with chicken cartilage collagen, magnesium, vitamin K2 and vitamin D3. The compound composition overcomes the food safety risk of the existing osteoporosis preventive drugs by adding the traditional Chinese medicine extract for improving osteoporosis and promoting bone health. And the compound composition disclosed can be used as a dietary supplement or health food raw material for preventing or treating osteoporosis. Therefore, the compound composition disclosed is suitable for promotion and application.

A compound composition for improving bone health and preparation and application thereof are provided. The compound composition is prepared by combining a traditional Chinese medicine extract with chicken cartilage collagen, magnesium, vitamin K2 and vitamin D3. The compound composition overcomes the food safety risk of the existing osteoporosis preventive drugs by adding the traditional Chinese medicine extract for improving osteoporosis and promoting bone health. And the compound composition disclosed can be used as a dietary supplement or health food raw material for preventing or treating osteoporosis. Therefore, the compound composition disclosed is suitable for promotion and application.

A new indication of vitamin K is disclosed which results in the provision of methods of treatment, both therapeutic and non-therapeutic, as well as functional foods and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products comprising vitamin K for improving microvascular integrity and capillary structure and function, thus preventing, mitigating, counteracting or curing diseases associated with impaired capillary morphology including the glycocalyx or capillary dysfunction. Preferably, vitamin K is a menaquinone, most preferably selected from the long-chain menaquinones MK-7 through MK-10.

A new indication of vitamin K is disclosed which results in the provision of methods of treatment, both therapeutic and non-therapeutic, as well as functional foods and pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products comprising vitamin K for improving microvascular integrity and capillary structure and function, thus preventing, mitigating, counteracting or curing diseases associated with impaired capillary morphology including the glycocalyx or capillary dysfunction. Preferably, vitamin K is a menaquinone, most preferably selected from the long-chain menaquinones MK-7 through MK-10.

The present invention is a nutraceutical formulation, intended for oral administration, comprising co-administered if not co-formulated melatonin together with at least one of strontium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K or their analogues. The nutraceutical combination or formulation is designed to be taken by mouth within about two hours prior to bedtime, and in fact should not be taken at any other time. The combination therapy gives new and unexpectedly improved results compared to the administration of melatonin alone.

The present invention is a nutraceutical formulation, intended for oral administration, comprising co-administered if not co-formulated melatonin together with at least one of strontium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K or their analogues. The nutraceutical combination or formulation is designed to be taken by mouth within about two hours prior to bedtime, and in fact should not be taken at any other time. The combination therapy gives new and unexpectedly improved results compared to the administration of melatonin alone.

A composition for glycemic control includes a sweetening agent, a polyphenol, and a starch. Examples of two formulations include but are not limited to i) a sweetening agent, gallic acid as the polyphenol and arabinoxylan as the starch; and ii) a sweetening agent, hesperitin or hesperidin as the polyphenol and inulin as the starch. Advantageously, the formulations include a combination of components to render an effective formulation that mitigates or rectifies hyperglycemic effects of high glycemic loads or intake.

A composition for glycemic control includes a sweetening agent, a polyphenol, and a starch. Examples of two formulations include but are not limited to i) a sweetening agent, gallic acid as the polyphenol and arabinoxylan as the starch; and ii) a sweetening agent, hesperitin or hesperidin as the polyphenol and inulin as the starch. Advantageously, the formulations include a combination of components to render an effective formulation that mitigates or rectifies hyperglycemic effects of high glycemic loads or intake.