Blog / Therapies

23 Mar 2018

Why K2 could be the key to good health

Vitamin K1 and K2 are important fat soluble vitamins that often get ignored and many people are deficient in them. This is especially true for vitamin K2 which is the more absorbable form of Vitamin K and is needed for bone health, heart health and much more.

Vitamin D, Vitamin K2 and calcium work well together as vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and vitamin K2 carries calcium and delivers it to where it needs to go, like the bones and teeth. If we are deficient in vitamin K2 then we cannot efficiently produce MGP (matrix GLA protein) which is needed to ensure calcium gets delivered to the correct destination in the body. Without this protein calcium can be deposited in the arteries, veins and soft tissues leading to hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, heart disease, varicose veins and signs of ageing. Other symptoms of Vitamin K2 deficiency may include osteoporosis, poor dental health, loss of skin elasticity, dementia and poor brain health.

The body cannot store Vitamin K2 which means we need to constantly replenish our stores via the diet.  Unfortunately our modern diet tends to be low in vitamin K2 as we eat convenience foods, processed foods and low-fat foods. Some of the best food sources of vitamin K2 are natto (fermented soy), raw sauerkraut, fish, grass-fed butter, cheese and milk, grass fed chicken and beef, egg yolks and chicken livers and other organ meats. However, meat from feedlot animals has been found to have almost no vitamin K2 and since many people eat conventional factory farmed meat they will need to supplement the diet.

Some of the health benefits of consuming vitamin K2 include strong teeth and good oral health, improved bone health, better heart health, reduced varicose veins, lowered risk of cancer, improved brain health, clear skin and anti-ageing.

Pregnant women, vegetarians, vegans and those with chronic health issues should be supplementing daily. People who have issues with poor nutrient absorption and fat digestion, as is the case with IBS, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, colitis and those without a gallbladder, are likely to be deficient in fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D and K2 and will need to supplement.

It is important to consult your healthcare practitioner before you take Vitamin K2 or any new supplements, especially if you take any blood thinning medication. Your healthcare provider can help you to find the right Vitamin K2 dose for your body and make sure that cofactors like vitamin D3, calcium and magnesium are not left out.


Sources

https://www.drstevenlin.com/9-mind-blowing-health-benefits-vitamin-k2/
https://wellnessmama.com/54423/vitamin-k2-uses-benefits/