Vitamin K2 Are You Getting Enough?

Family History of Heart Disease, Osteoporosis, Cancer?

Doctors have known for a long time, people with a lack of calcium in their bones most likely possess excess calcium in their arteries. The lack of calcium in bones leads to osteoporosis, while the increase of calcium in the arterial walls leads to heart disease.

Protein buildup is widely studied in the brain and are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other degenerative neurological disorders. The protein P62 is responsible for isolating waste and delivering it for disposal.  Another study published in the Journal of Science found Vitamin K2 serves as a mitochondrial electron carrier, helping maintain normal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production in mitochondrial dysfunction. ATP is considered the high-energy molecule that stores the energy we need to do just about everything.

"Recent research reveals Vitamin K2 plays a vital role in maintaining healthy bones and arteries by keeping calcium in the bones and out of the arteries.  Vitamin K and Vitamin D work together, and nearly everyone tested is deficient in both."

Multiple research studies around the world show adequate Vitamin K2 is important in preventing osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, multiple types of cancer, and even Alzheimer’s disease, among others.

Clearly, kale, collard greens, spinach, and dark green vegetables have great benefits, and if you already have heart disease, a little extra Vitamin K2 won’t hurt.

"Unfortunately, the likelihood of being Vitamin K2 deficient is still very high, leaving most of you vulnerable to the chronic diseases affecting our lives as we age.  Research strongly supports adding Vitamin K2 to your diet now!"

What are K Vitamins?

Primarily, there are two basic types of Vitamin K; K1 and K2.  Current dietary guidelines focus on how much you need to regulate blood clotting and NOT enough on the needs to protect your body from other health problems. Vitamin K requires some fat in the diet in order for your body to absorb the Vitamin effectively.

K1 is found in green vegetables. Vitamin K1 goes directly to you liver to maintain healthy blood clotting.  Vitamin K1 deficiency generally never causes insufficient blood clotting in a healthy adults.

K2 goes to vessel walls, bones and tissues other than your liver.  You find K2 in fermented foods such as Japanese Natto, some fermented vegetables, and certain cheeses such as Brie and Gouda.  There is almost no Vitamin K2 in most yogurts.

MK-4 and MK-7 are the 2 primary forms found in K2 supplements. MK-4 has a very short half-life of about one hour; a poor candidate for a dietary supplement. MK-7 with a longer half-life of three days, has a much better chance of building up a consistent level in your blood, improving your health.

A three year study presented at The International Nutrition and Diagnostics Conference revealed Vitamin K2 (M-7) showed the ability of K2 to slow down cardiovascular aging and osteoporosis.

Increased Risk Conditions

Some of the conditions, which put you at increased risk for Vitamin K deficiency.

• Do not eat many vegetables, especially the dark green ones.
• Take Vitamin D Supplements
  You need Vitamin K2 as they work together.  An imbalance may be harmful.
• Smoking
• Sedentary Lifestyle
• Eat a poor diet – fast food meals
• High Cholesterol
• Bone Health – Osteoporosis, Heel Spurs
• Brain Disease – Dementia, Alzheimer's
• Heart Disease – Arterial Calcification, Cardiovascular Disease
• Varicose Veins
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Tooth Decay
• Pneumonia
• Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Celiac Disease
• Liver Disease interfering with Vitamin K storage
• Conditions that interfere with nutrient absorption
• Broad spectrum antibiotics
• Cholestoral drugs
• Aspirin
• Prolonged use of Antibiotics

Heart Disease

Low levels of Vitamin K2 increases your risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis. Physicians and scientists know the accumulation of coronary calcim comprises a significant portion of atherosclerotic plaque.
A seven year heart study of 4,800 participants revealed those who ingested the greatest quantities of Vitamin K2 experienced a 57% reduction in death from heart disease. Higher Vitamin K2 supplements also corresponded to less calcium deposits in the aorta.

"Making sure your blood vessels don’t calcify is a great way to fight the effects of Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s, and other arterial diseases."

Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson's

A study published in Science Signalingdemonstrates, if P62 builds up in arterial walls and no longer delivers waste for disposal, there is a protein accumulation, which protects against heart disease.  In atherosclerosis, and perhaps brain disorders characterized by protein accumulation, evidence suggests it may be better to focus on ways to fix the cells’ waste disposal system.

Osteoporosis

Japanese trials show Vitamin K2 reversing bone loss and in some cases even increasing bone mass in people with osteoporosis. Supplementation shows a 60% reduction in vertebral fractures and 80% reduction in hip and other fractures.

So many of you take calcium supplements for bone health. Your bone strength depends on more than just calcium. Vitamin K2 is one of the critical vitamins for improving bone density.

Cancer

Preliminary evidence is emerging that Vitamin K2 may suppress some forms of cancer. Vitamin K2 has anti-oncogenic effects in different types of cancer cells, including protection against prostate cancer, leukemia, lung, ovarian, and liver (hepatocellular carcinoma) cancers.  Studies published found Vitamin K2 slowed the growth of cancer cells in patients with lung cancer.

A German study discovered Vitamin K2 provides substantial protection against prostate cancer. According to Dr. Cees Vermeer, men taking high amounts of K2 had about 50% less prostate cancer.

Vitamin K2 has also been found beneficial in the fight against non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colon, stomach, nasopharynx, and oral cancers. It is still unclear, which Vitamin K2 mechanisms exert anti-tumor effects.

Diabetes

People who get the most Vitamin K2 are about 20% less likely to develop Type II Diabetes.

Inflammation

A study in the journal Modern Rheumatology found Vitamin K2 has the potential to improve disease in those with rheumatoid arthritis.