Many people have heard of the importance of Vitamin D in bone health. How many people know about the importance of Vitamin K2 in bone health? Do you? So what does Vitamin K2 do?

bone density femur female (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Studies show that treatment with vitamin D3 slightly reduces bone turnover, sustains bone mineral density (BMD), and prevents osteoporotic vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis, while vitamin K2  enhances secretion of osteocalcin (a protein for bone formation), sustains BMD, increase bone strength independently of BMD and prevents osteoporotic fractures in patients with osteoporosis. Studies also suggest that combination of Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 enhances the effect of each other. There also seems to be some evidence suggesting that nutritional supplements such as active vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 are effective in reducing the fracture incidences.

Not only Vitamin K2 keeps calcium in your bones, it also keeps calcium out of your arteries.

Are there other Vitamin K?  Vitamin K1 allows the blood to clot and has anti-inflammatory effects. It is also found in many foods. However, Vitamin K2 is less common in foods.

What are the natural source of Vit K2?

• K2 is found fermented food such as curd cheese (from grass-fed animal products)
• natto, a fermented soy beans eaten in Japan

There are some K2 supplement available in today’s market. I use one that is already combined with Vitamin D3 in powder form (Vitamin D with K2). This is ideal to me because it can be consumed as a liquid form which allows maximum and quickest absorption. In addition, it is would easy to ingest for the elderly as well. Vitamin K is fat soluble. It should be consumed with food.

Related articles

• The Calcium Controversy (biosil.wordpress.com)
• Breaking news on natural Vit K2: MK-7
• What affects Calcium absorption?
• What kind of Calcium should I take?
• Where can I get my calcium from my diet?
• Too much Calcium?

References

• Keio J Med. 2003 Sep;52(3):147-50. Treatment with vitamin D3 and/or vitamin K2 for postmenopausal osteoporosis
• Clin Calcium. 2007 Jul;17(7):1098-104. Absolute risk for fracture and WHO guideline. Pharmacological intervention to prevent osteoporotic fractures in the elderly
• Clin Calcium. 2007 Nov;17(11):1738-44. Vitamin K2 as a potential therapeutic agent for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis
• J Nutr. 2004 Nov; 134(11):3100-5. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study