Vitamin K is trending in the health world, but what does it do and why is it so important? There are many different forms of vitamin K. But the most popular and well-known of these vitamins comes from leafy green vegetables. The most common sources of vitamin K are kale, spinach, collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and other dark leafy greens. It’s also found in smaller amounts in fruits such as oranges and papaya, as well as some types of cheese and eggs.
What does vitamin K2 do?
Vitamin K is important for blood clotting, bone health, and heart health. It helps the blood clot by keeping calcium in the blood. Vitamin K also helps prevent osteoporosis by keeping calcium in the bones. Additionally, vitamin K can help reduce the risk of heart disease by keeping calcium out of the arteries. It’s also needed to produce a substance called matrix Gla protein (MGP). which may be involved in preventing calcification of the arteries. In other words, it prevents calcium from building up on artery walls and contributes to reducing the risks associated with high cholesterol levels, including atherosclerosis. Studies have found that MGP has been linked to cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke. How does one get enough vitamin K? The best way to get enough vitamin K is through leafy green vegetables, or supplements if necessary.
Good sources of vitamin K2
While leafy greens like spinach and kale are well-known sources of vitamin K, there are other foods that are rich in this nutrient as well. These include Brussels sprouts, broccoli, collard greens, and turnip greens. Vitamin K is also found in soybeans, and green tea. This vitamin is important for health because it helps the blood clot, and it is also essential for bone health. Without enough vitamin K2, bones can become weak and brittle. It’s important to make sure you get enough if you take a medication or have a chronic condition that may interfere with your ability to absorb vitamin K from food alone (e.g., celiac disease).
Side effects of taking too much vitamin K2
While vitamin K is essential for many bodily functions, taking too much of it can lead to a number of side effects. These include easy bruising and bleeding, calcium build-up in the arteries, and kidney stones. In severe cases, it can even cause death. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks before taking any supplements. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises taking no more than 180 micrograms per day — and no more than 90 micrograms per day if you’re on warfarin or other blood thinners.
Prevent memory loss with vitamin K2
A new study has found that vitamin K can help prevent memory loss. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Minnesota, looked at data from over 4,000 people over the course of 10 years. The participants were asked about their dietary intake of vitamin K and other nutrients, and they also underwent cognitive testing. The results showed that those who had higher intakes of vitamin K were less likely to experience cognitive decline. Vitamin K2 plays a role in maintaining healthy brain tissue and keeping it from shrinking as we age, said lead author Martha Clare Morris. The different forms of vitamin K seem to have varying degrees of effect on mental acuity. But so far our research shows that taking too little seems to be worse than taking too much.
Build stronger bones with vitamin K2
Vitamin K is important for bone health because it helps the body absorb calcium. It also helps to prevent osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and break easily. Getting enough vitamin K can help keep your bones strong and healthy as you age. You can get vitamin K from leafy green vegetables, eggs, and dairy products. You can also take a supplement to make sure you’re getting enough. Maintain healthy brain function with vitamin K: A diet rich in this essential nutrient has been shown to protect against cognitive decline.
Studies have found that people who eat diets high in foods containing vitamin K are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease or experience severe memory loss in their later years.
Vitamin K2 Significance
K2: The Missing Nutrient for Heart and Bone Health is something I like to talk about. Along with other products that have undergone extensive testing. Such as fish oil, vitamin D, and magnesium, it is crucial to include it in your regular supplement routine. One important quality of vitamin K2 is its ability to prevent arterial stiffness, which can frequently happen after age 45. Additionally, it supports bone health. As we age, we frequently don’t get enough of this mineral in our diet.
Because it makes a considerable contribution to the synthesis of several enzymes involved in these processes, vitamin K2 plays a key role in bone and cardiovascular health. Additionally, in those whose bodies are more susceptible to lose bone density over time, such as menopause women
Why then is vitamin K2 so important? It’s essential for bone health since it has the power to “activate” certain proteins in your body, such as osteocalcin for strong bones and matrix Gla protein (MGP). It prevents calcium, a necessary ingredient for developing strong bones, from getting into your arteries, where it might harden and cause cardiovascular disease. Your body cannot activate osteocalcin, which delivers calcium where it is required, without K2. You can mix this pill with other vitamins like B. Additionally, since there are no harmful interactions with it, you won’t need to be concerned about any negative effects.
Research On K2 Role
In a recent study conducted by Dr Husam Khader at Tabriz University in Iran, 42 postmenopausal women received a daily supplement containing 100 mcg menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) or a placebo for 12 weeks. They found that levels of several different substances responsible for blood clotting decreased from baseline measures, including D-dimer, factor VIII and protein C-reactive protein (CRP). Moreover, oxygenation improved in the volunteers’ muscle tissue due to Vitamin K2 supplementation.
A new study published recently in Vascular Medicine Reports shows that vitamin K2 supplementation can reduce blood pressure. Especially the steepest, highest readings.1 After 50 years of age, people lose about 1% of their total GABA receptors per decade, meaning that by age 70 (a typical age for hypertension), almost 25% have lost close to half their receptors.
Higher GABA levels have been shown to lower blood pressure independent of any other medications one might be taking, and increasing the number of GABA receptors through supplementation with K2 has also proven to improve quality of life and protect nerves from oxidative damage — all of this leading toward a beneficial treatment for high blood pressure.
Can I perform a Vitamin K2 level test?
You can, though not directly. The most precise measurement for Vitamin K levels is to assess the amount of the circulating undercarboxylated (inactive) form of the Vitamin K-dependent proteins in the blood, such as MGP.16. The most recommended Upton is a ucOC test, which measures the osteocalcin levels—another K-dependent protein—in the blood that K2 does not activate. Like MGP, It is necessary for carboxylation (activating) osteocalcin. If your osteocalcin levels are undercarboxylated, that indicates Vitamin K2 deficiency.
