and bone health, I would recommend the therapeutic dose used in the clinical trials mentioned earlier, which is 180 mcg a day. I would also recommend MenaQ7 ® vitamin K2 as MK-7, supplied by NattoPharma ASA; this company is a world leader in vitamin K2 research. It is MenaQ7 ® which has been used in most of the
studies demonstrating the benefits of vitamin K2. Are there any contraindications?
It is recommended that patients on warfarin or other blood thinners consult with their doctor before taking a vitamin K2 supplement. For more information on vitamin K2, visit www.vitamink2.org Dr Chris Speed is a dietitian who continues his academic work as an Associate Editor of the European Journal of Cancer Prevention. He is also Communications Director of Nattopharma.
Bone health & vitamin K2
While we have all heard the messages about building bones by getting plenty of sunshine (best free source of vitamin D) and eating calcium-rich foods or taking a supplement, an astonishing 6.3 million Australians still suffer from low bone density - and 1.2 million of them will also develop osteoporosis, where bones become fragile and easy to fracture. Why? Studies suggest that the missing link may be vitamin K2: while we still need calcium, vitamin D and exercise for the formation of strong bones, it appears that vitamin K2 is the catalyst that helps the bones to absorb these critical nutrients in the correct way. The body needs to ensure that calcium is directed to and utilised by the bones, and does not go to other areas where it may cause health problems. For example, too much calcium can build up around the arteries, blood vessel walls and soft tissue, causing hardening, or in the kidneys, resulting in kidney stones. Vitamin K2, however, has been shown to prevent calcium- associated health risks like arterial calcification by up to 50 per cent, while still preventing osteoporosis.
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ISSUE 57 • 2020
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