A lot of individuals have heard about Vitamin K but not Vitamin K2. This vitamin is pretty rare in the Western diet and has not received tons of mainstream attention. But this exceptional nutrient plays an important role in most aspects of people’s health. As a matter of fact, some experts think that this nutrient may be the missing link between some chronic diseases and diet.
Vitamin K: Everything you need to know
This nutrient was discovered in the late 1920s as an important component for blood coagulation or blood clotting. The important discovery was reported in a German medical journal, where it was also called Koagulationsvitamin. It is where the “K” in its name comes from.
To find out more about Koagulationsvitamin, click here for details.
Weston Price also discovered it. This dentist, traveled the world at the start of the 20th century, studying and researching the relationship between diseases in different countries and diets. Weston Price found that non-industrial diets were pretty high in unidentified nutrients, which provide protection against chronic diseases and tooth decay. Price referred to this nutrient as activator X. It is now assumed to have been K2. There are two forms of Koagulationsvitamin:
K1 or Phylloquinone: It is found in plant foods such as leafy greens
K2 or Menaquinone: It is found in fermented foods or animal foods.
K2 can be further divided into various subtypes. The most vital ones are MK-7 and MK-4.
How do these things work?
This nutrient activates proteins that play a vital role in calcium metabolism, heart health, and blood clotting. One of its crucial functions is to help regulate the calcium deposit in our body. In short, it prevents the calcifications of the kidneys and blood vessels, as well as promoting bone calcification.
Some experts have suggested that the roles of K1 and K2 are very different. Most scientists may feel these things should be classified as separate entities altogether. In some controlled studies in humans, experts have also observed that K2 supplements improve heart and bone health, while K1 has no important benefits. But more human research and studies need to be done before functional differences between the two can be fully understood.
Visit https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23590754/ for more info about Menaquinone.
It can help lower the risk of getting osteoporosis and improve bone health
Osteoporosis translate to porous bones. It is a very common problem, especially in Western countries. It is mostly seen in older women. It raises the risk of fractures in affected individuals. As mentioned before, this nutrient plays a key role in calcium metabolism, the primary mineral found in people’s teeth and bones. This nutrient activates the calcium-binding effect of two proteins – osteocalcin and GLA protein, which help to create and maintain our bones.
Interestingly, there is also evidence from controlled research that this thing can provide a lot of benefits for the health of our bones and teeth. According to recent studies on postmenopausal women, test subjects that are taking this supplement had a much slower decrease when it comes to bone mineral density related to age.
Long-term research observed similar benefits, although high doses were used in these instances. But some experts need more convincing. Some researchers concluded that more than the evidence shows supplements used for this purpose is needed when it comes to this type of vitamin; details like what brand, where to buy supplements in Weston, FL, or what dosage to take is very important.
It can help prevent heart diseases
The buildup of calcium in the arteries in our heart is an important risk factor when it comes to heart diseases. In one research spanning seven to ten years, individuals with the most intake of K2 were fifty-two percent less likely to develop calcification of the heart artery.
They had a fifty-seven percent lower risk of dying from various diseases. Another study conducted on women found that participants with the most vitamin K2 intake had a lot lower risk when it comes to heart diseases – for every ten micrograms of these nutrients participants consumed per day, the risk of heart diseases was reduced by nine percent. On the other hand, K1 had no significant influence in both studies.
Long-term controlled studies on Vitamin K2, as well as heart diseases, are needed. But there are highly plausible biological mechanisms for the effectiveness of this nutrient and strong connections with circulatory system health in various observational research.
In conclusion
This nutrient is divided in two. K1 is involved in the coagulation of blood, and the other one benefits heart and bone health. But more studies on the role of both subtypes are badly needed. Before any good recommendations can be made, it is clear that it plays an important role in our daily body functions. To help maintain excellent health, people should make sure that they get enough amounts of K1 and K2 in their diet.
