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S ometimes a great nutrient performs better with a partner – and that is certainly the case with vitamins K2 and D3. Dr Hogne Vik reports.
Vitamins K2 and D3 are star performers when it comes to supporting bone and cardiovascular health. Let us take a closer look at how they work together and what benefits they provide.
di sease . According to research published in The Journal of Bio- chemistry , vitamin D3 promotes bone build-
Vitamin K2, specifically vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7), increases the activation of two bone-friendly proteins, osteocalcin and matric GLA protein (MGP). Once activated, osteocalcin binds calciumto the bonematrix, helping to build strong dense bones, while MGP stops calcium from being deposited into arteries and soft tissues, and therefore protects your cardiovascular system. Heart and bone health According to the World Health Organization, nearly 18 million people die annually from cardiovascular disease, making it the number one cause of death. Osteoporosis, where bones become brittle due to lack of calcium and vitamin D, also takes a significant toll worldwide. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, one in three women over age 50 will experience osteoporosis fractures; for men, it’s one in five. The good news is that vitamins K2 and D3 play a vital role in reducing the risk of both osteoporosis and cardiovascular
up and maintains calcium and phosphate levels for
bone formation. Calcium needs vitamins D3 and K2 to be present in order for it to be effectively absorbed and bound to the bone matrix; without vitamins D3 and K2, calcium can present a risk factor for cardiovascular problems. It is important to note that although vitamin K represents a family of vitamins, it is only vitamin K2 as MK-7 which is the most effective in activating osteocalcin and MGP. Similarly, not every member of the vitamin D family provides the same bone-building benefits as vitamin D3. A University of Surrey study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition , which compared the effects of supplementing with vitamins D2 or D3, concluded that vitamin D3 was twice as effective in raising participants’ serum blood levels of vitamin D. Another study, published in The Journal of Endocrinology
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ISSUE 59 • 2020
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