Vitamin K2 activates proteins in the body that play a role in calcification. Are you suffering from brittle bones? You could be deficient in the nutrient.
Discovered by dentist Weston Price in 1929, vitamin K2 is crucial in regulating calcium deposition throughout the body.
Promoting the calcification of bones, vitamin K2 is needed for strong, health bones.
It does this by activating the calcium-binding actions of matrix GLA protein and osteocalcin.
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Researchers from the University of York looked at randomised controlled trials where adults were given vitamin K2 supplements.
They found that 12 trials showed that participants taking vitamin K2 supplements had a reduction in bone loss.
Additionally, seven of these trials that took fractures into account reported vitamin K2 reduced spinal fractures by 60 perfect and hip fractures by 77 percent.
These findings suggest that vitamin K2 could help prevent osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is when weakened bones are more likely to break.
The most common injuries include a broken wrist, broken hip and spinal bones.
But, at an advanced stage of the disease, a cough or sneeze could result in a broken rib.
Before things get that bad, bone density gradually decreases – this is called osteopenia.
Vitamin K2 also prevents the calcification of blood vessels and the kidneys.
This means the vitamin can help stop calcium from being deposited in the arteries.
Calcium build-up in the arteries is a risk factor for heart disease.
Therefore, adequate intake of vitamin K2 could help to lower a person’s chances of developing heart disease.
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A research team from the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at the Erasmus Medical Center Rotterdam examined this further.
They observed the results of a study that spanned from seven to 10 year.
The results showed that the participants who had the highest intake of vitamin K2 were 52 per cent less likely to develop artery calcification.
Additionally, they had a 57 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease.
The best dietary source for vitamin K2 is fermented foods.
As well as nattō – a traditional Japanese dish of fermented soybeans.
Moreover, fatty fish such as salmon is a good source of vitamin K2.
In addition, so is sauerkraut, egg yolks, beef and hard cheeses.
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