The relationship between dietary vitamin K intake and bone status has been investigated in several epidemiologic  and intervention studies. These studies suggest that vitamin K deficiency causes reductions in BMD and increases the risk of fractures, resulting from the undercarboxylation of osteocalcin. Low intakes of vitamin K have been associated with an increased risk of hip fractures. In a study of 72,327 women, vitamin K intakes (assessed through the use of a food-frequency questionnaire) were inversely related to the risk of hip fracture.