Brent Hofacker/ShutterstockIn parts of southern Italy and Greece, where people often live well into their 90s, daily meals typically include dark leafy greens drizzled with olive oil. These simple dishes have long been linked to heart health and longevity, and one nutrient in particular may be doing more than we realized.

Best known for its role in blood clotting, vitamin K is being studied for its potential to protect bones, blood vessels, and even the body’s energy systems as we age.

Protects Against AgingVitamin K’s benefits reach far beyond blood clotting. As a fat-soluble vitamin, it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help guard the body against the chronic conditions that become more common with age.