Vitamin K2 - Why so Little Knowledge About the Almighty Vitamin?

Vitamin K2 protects arteries

Lately, in the center of attention of fans of healthy nutrition and natural medicine comes vitamin K2, less well-known element of the complex K vitamins. It is important that this vitamin regulates the distribution of calcium - it determines that the calcium go in our bones and blood, instead of the arteries and muscles.

It is known and well studied Vitamin K1, which is an important factor in the regulation of normal blood clotting. Green leafy vegetables, among other things, recommended, because of the richness in vitamin K1.

Form of Vitamin K2 is less studied earlier, but he pays attention lately, and the results of studies on the functioning this vitamin have shown that it helps maintain healthy bone density, and to prevent, and may even reverse the process, hardening (calcification) of arteries - which is a risk factor in heart disease.

The lack or deficiency of vitamin K, would lead to bone fragility, hardening of the arteries and age brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Studies have also shown that virtamin K2 specifically protects nerve cells from oxidative stress, and also plays a role in cancer prevention.
The daily dose for adults is 90 to 120 micrograms, even if ingested and more, it can not hurt, because studies have shown that higher doses are not harmful.

Where to find

What is interesting is that the best sources of vitamin K2 meat, eggs, raw milk, dairy products and then miso. As for those who practice a vegetarian diet, this suggests that lacto-ovo-vegetarianism is the safest, a kind of middle way. As research has shown that we should not consume too much of milk and dairy products, but not good either completely exclude these foods from the diet, and vitamin K2 is certainly one of the reasons for it.

An excellent plant source of vitamin K2 is a fermented soy product called nato (the picture is a dish of rice which added nato), nato or miso. Unfortunately, due to its specific taste he can founc and consumed very rarely  outside of Japan; on our market is weak or no longer available. Taking into consideration preventive action of vitamin K2 on the health of blood vessels, it is likely consumption pf nato one of factors traditionally good for cardiovascular health of the Japanese.

The use of antibiotics and some other drugs, as well as damage to the colon can lead to deficiency of vitamin K2, which can lead to osteoporosis and heart disease.
Taking all this into consideration, especially as regards those who consume only foods of plant origin, we must rconsider the option to vitamin K2 takes the form of a natural supplement (most vitamins and minerals can be found on the market in that form).

Why is K2D3 beneficial for your heart?

A growing number of studies clearly shows that vitamin D is essential for good health and the prevention of many diseases. That's why a lot of people taking high doses of vitamin D, and it absolutely can damage their health if insufficient intake of vitamin K2, which should ensure that the calcium is incorporated into the bone. Although the symptoms of vitamin D toxicity do not see very often, usually manifested as calcification of the arteries, and are due to lack of vitamin K2, which would direct calcium to the right place.

One study was designed to show the progression of calcification of arteries that are designated as potentially lethal in the case of heart disease and stroke. We examined two groups, the first who took only vitamin D and others who took a combination of vitamin D and vitamin K2. The results revealed that calcification slowly progressing in the group who took vitamin K2 and vitamin D in relation to that group who took only vitamin D.

This makes sense, because while vitamin D3 provides better bone development by helping the absorption of calcium, there is new evidence that vitamin K2 directs calcium in the bones and prevents its deposition in the arteries, where it has a negative effect.

If you are taking calcium tablets, but you have a deficiency of vitamin K2, it can be worse than if you take supplements at all, as evidenced by a meta-analysis that linked calcium intake with heart attacks.

The authors of the present study noted that, in addition to affecting the bone protein osteocalcin, one of the mechanisms by which vitamin K2 exerts a protective role in the progression of damage to the blood vessels can be connected with its influence on the Matrix Gla Protein (MGP). MGP is a protein responsible for protecting blood vessels from calcification.

When it appears atherosclerosis, which is the inevitable process of aging, the blood vessels in your body are damaged, there is an inflammatory process that may lead to calcium deposition and formation of arterial plaque that can lead to heart attack.

Vitamin K2 and D3 work together again to activate the MGP, which in healthy arteries accumulates around the elastic fibers of arterial walls and prevents the deposition of crystals of calcium.

K2D3 care of your heart:

If you use vitamin D or calcium necessarily take this product K2D3. Numerous studies have shown that the combination of vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 slows the progression of arterial calcification and therefore is undeniably useful not only for your bones, but also for your heart.

Vitamin K is a vitamin which exists in two natural physiologically active form:

* Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) - In nature can be found in plants, especially in green vegetables. What is greener, it is richer in vitamin K1. K1 after taking over from the intestines through the blood is transported to the liver where it is deposited. Primarily operates in the creation of the factors involved in blood clotting, and studies have shown that there is no adequate sun effect on calcium metabolism, and does not affect osteoporosis or atherosclerosis.

 * Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) - Part-produced by bacteria that exist in the gastrointestinal tract, unfortunately not in sufficient quantity for which it is recommended additional entry. K2, unlike vitamin K1, which is deposited in the liver, goes directly into the blood vessels, bones and other tissues, and its primary role is to participate in the metabolism of calcium, it is installed in the bones and teeth, where it is needed, and to prevent its deposition in blood vessels, where it does not belong.

Why exactly K2?

Numerous clinical studies have shown that vitamin K2 (Menahinon) is of great importance in osteoporosis. There are seven different Menahinona (MK4-MK10), the best is just MK7 which is present in the composition K2D3. This form of vitamin K2 has proved to be extremely clean, the longest active.

Other commercially available sub-species, such as, for example MK4, active up to 6 hours, and therefore must be use in much higher dosages to be effective. Research has also shown that MK 7 longest stays in your body and that is the longest active, and that it can be taken once a day and 24 hours will perform its role. Therefore, the use of preparations K2D3 very comfortable. See also vitamin B1.