PHARMANORD
Vitamin K2 and why form matters!
UnDErSTAnDIng ThE IMPorTAnCE of VITAMIn K2 To SUPPorT hEAlThy BonES AnD CIrCUlATIon
n
ow more than ever, we're taking notice of our health with exercise, health care
check ups and balanced diets/supplements. The result is that individuals are living longer than ever. The idea of optimum health however is less about living longer, but more about living better.
To achieve this, many are trying to ensure that they don't suffer any nutritional insufficiencies. Even with a virtuous and balanced diet however, there are some vitamins we just don't get enough of from the diet, including vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 supplements are growing in demand, mainly because of the nutrient's incredibly protective benefits to bones and the circulation.
Who CAn BEnEfIT? K2 is beneficial to anyone who wants to help take care of their bone and circulatory health and help protect these systems for future years. Many are vitamin K2 deficient as it rarely occurs in western diets. The main dietary K2 source is natto, a traditional Japanese dish of fermented soy beans rarely eaten outside of Japan (and even in Japan, is considered an acquired taste).
12 - PhArMACy In foCUS
low vitamin K levels can also result from poor diet, alcoholism, malabsorption disorders, ageing, and certain medicines. Interestingly, statin medications (a common prescription for cholesterol control) have been shown in studies to deplete K2 levels in the body (1)
.
hoW DoES IT WorK? Vitamin K2 aids in the maintenance of normal bones and circulation by its key role in the activation of proteins osteocalcin (oC) and matrix gla- protein (MgP). These proteins help ensure that calcium is deposited into bones, not into blood vessels: an important consideration for anyone taking calcium supplements or who has large dietary calcium intakes.
CIrCUlATory hEAlTh As mentioned, K2 activates MgP which found in blood vessel walls. Activated MgP binds calcium and helps ensure it is not deposited into blood vessels. This calcification would otherwise lead to blood vessel hardening, a build of plaque, elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular risk.
A 2004 population study with 4807 subjects showed that individuals with
graph: Subjects with high K intakes experienced less cardiovascular related events and all cause mortality(2)
adequate vitamin K intakes experienced reduction in: • CVD and death from CVD • Severe calcification of the blood vessels
• All cause mortality
The lead researcher discussed that this effect may be due to reduction in arterial calcification, and suggests that elevated intakes of vitamin K2 may contribute to heart disease prevention (2)
.
BonE hEAlTh from 30-35 onwards, we begin to lose bone mass which can eventually lead to brittle and fracture prone bones. Known as osteoporosis, this is thought to effect one and three women, and one and five men globally.
Vitamin K2 assists by activating osteocalcin, enabling calcium to be incorporated into the bones and contributing to bone density. K2 also inhibits the activity of osteoclasts, cells which naturally break down bone as part of bone homeostatis.
K2: SynErgISTIC WITh VITAMIn D AnD CAlCIUM Vitamin D (which has been in the headlines a lot lately) is associated with improving bone density and is typically coupled with calcium. What's lesser known however, is how
osteopenia/osteoporosis is even more pronounced for post- menopausal women due to falling oestrogen levels (which would otherwise have bone sparing benefits).
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