Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin known for its role in blood clotting. The vitamin is also an essential element in the formation and growth of strong bones and in the prevention of heart disease. It plays a critical part in other processes in the body as well. The vitamin is frequently referred to as a forgotten nutrient as its primary benefits are often overlooked.
Vitamin K and Vitamin D: How They Work Together
Recent research shows that vitamin K is an essential adjunct to vitamin D. If you are deficient in either of these vitamins, neither one will work optimally in the body. As vitamin D is a key player in one’s overall health, this is a crucial finding.
Therefore, it really is not surprising that almost everyone is deficient in vitamin K. While most people receive enough vitamin K in their diet for blood clotting purposes, they do not get enough of the nutrient for other health problems. A vitamin K deficiency can lead to osteoporosis and various cancers, as well as infectious diseases such as pneumonia.
Types of Vitamin K
Three types of vitamin K exist. Vitamin K1 is called phylloquinone. K1 is found in mostly green vegetables. This is the K vitamin that helps maintain healthy blood clotting.
Vitamin K2 is referred to as menaquinone. It is produced by the bacteria that line the gastrointestinal tract. The vitamin goes straight to the bones, blood vessel walls, and tissues.
Vitamin K3, also called menadione, is a synthetic form of vitamin K. It is not usually recommended, and it has been shown to produce toxicity in infants that have been injected with the substance.
A Superior Form of Vitamin K
For supplementation purposes, scientists regularly recommend the K2 form of the vitamin. This natural form is non-toxic, even at 500 times the recommended daily allowance. The K2 vitamin is produced in the body and appears in fermented foods. Researchers consider it to be a superior form of vitamin K. By increasing your K2 consumption, you can protect yourself from conditions such as hardening of the arteries.
A Preventative for Heart Disease and Osteoporosis
Hardening of the arteries is a common cause of coronary artery disease and heart failure. Scientific studies show that the K2 vitamin can assist in keeping calcium from entering the linings of the arteries and other bodily tissues. As a result, the vitamin prevents any damage caused by this activity. The K2 vitamin works together with vitamin D in preventing cardiovascular disease.
In addition, the K2 vitamin can assist in preventing osteoporosis because the nutrient enhances bone density. It serves as the natural glue that binds calcium to the bone. In fact, some studies reveal that the K2 vitamin completely reverses bone loss and even increases bone mass in people who suffer from osteoporosis. K2 supplementation also produces a 60% reduction in fractures of the vertebrae and an 80% reduction in nonvertebral or hip fractures.
Needless to say, the benefits of the K2 vitamin are advantages. Supplementing with K2 can significantly improve your health.
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