Vitamin K2 is one of the essential nutrients that is often ignored in our diet. But even then, you cannot deny its contribution to the progress of your health.
Vitamin K2 tries to heal and bridge the gap between diet and several chronic ailments, and that is why supplements like Megaquinone k2-7 are often prescribed these days.
The supplements are seen to have beneficial effects on several aspects of health, including bones and blood coagulation.
But before getting into understanding why vitamin K2 is essential, you should know what it is.
Types of Vitamins
There are 2 different types of Vitamin K. They include:
- a) Phylloquinone or Vitamin K1: These are contained in the plant foods like leafy greens.
- b) Menaquinone or Vitamin K2: These are found in fermented products and animal foods.
Vitamin K2 is further segregated into various subtypes, and MK-7 and 4 are most vital.
Now, let’s dig deeper and know why vitamin K2 supplementation is required.
Vitamin K is abundantly found in leafy green veggies, Brussels sprouts, and broccoli. The German word “Koagulationsvitamin” has inspired the abbreviation Vitamin K.
What is Vitamin K2?
Vitamin K was discovered in the early 1930s as an essential nutrient for blood clotting or coagulation.
Discovered by Weston Price, a dentist, the initial discovery of vitamin K2 was recorded in the German scientific journal. There it was referred to as “Koagulations Vitamin” – hence the abbreviation “K”.
While researching, the dentist found that non-industrial diets contain an anonymous nutrient that apparently protects against chronic diseases and tooth decay.
Why Do You Need Vitamin K2 Supplementation?
Low Vitamin K raises the risk of uncontrolled bleeding. Vitamin K deficiencies are common in newborn infants and rare among adults.
Though vitamin K deficiencies are not so common, you can still be at a higher risk if you –
- a) Are malnourished severely
- b) Have an ailment that affects the digestive tract absorption like active celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
- c) Drink alcohol heavily
- d) Have drugs interfering with vitamin K absorption
The following are the ways how it can help improve your health.
- Improves Health of the Bone– Sufficient amount of vitamin K2 improves bone strength and reduces fracture risks in most older women with weak bones. But it does not reduce the fracture risk in a majority of the older women with strong bones. The intake of vitamin K1 increases bone strength and can prevent fractures in older women. But it is not so useful in older men. However, Vitamin K1 does not improve bone strength in women who haven’t gone through menopause or in those with Crohn’s disease.
- Enhances Heart Health – The build-up of calcium in the heart’s arteries is a huge risk for heart disease. Vitamin K prevents calcium from getting deposited in your arteries.
Research reveals that people with the most significant intake of vitamin K2 have a much lesser risk of passing away from heart disease. However, these are observational studies. But the indications are highly plausible and depict correlated results.
- Assists to Fight Cancer (Probably) – Across the world, Cancer is a common cause of death. Although there are many treatment plans available today, there are still new cancer cases emerging every day. Therefore, finding an effective solution is necessary. There are several studies conducted on vitamin K2 and certain cancer types. A couple of clinical studies have shown that vitamin K2 decreases liver cancer recurrence and increases survival times. Added to that, 63% lower prostate cancer risk is seen to be linked with a high intake of vitamin K2. Nevertheless, no strong claims can be made regarding this with high-quality studies.
- Improves Dental Health – Vitamin K2 can affect oral health. However, no human studies have tested it directly. Based on animal studies and vitamin K2’s role in the metabolism of bones, it is rational to assume that this nutrient affects dental health. One of the primary regulating proteins in dental health is osteocalcin.
This is an excellent protein that is essential for the metabolism of the bone. It is activated by vitamin K2. Osteocalcin triggers the mechanism that influences dentin’s development (the calcified tissue beneath the teeth enamel). Vitamins A and D also assist in this process.
From the above, it is clear the vitamin K2 contributes positively to body functioning and health.
Vitamin K2 can also be found in fermented foods, liver meat, and they are also present in animal products like eggs, meat, and dairy. You will also get supplements like Megaquinone k2-7 for Vitamin K2. Make it a point to have adequate amounts of vitamin K2 through your diet for maintaining good health.
