Vitamin K Supports healthy bones

Vitamin K: Keeping calcium where it belongs
Why are so many Canadians plagued by a lack of calcium in the bones (osteoporosis) along with an excess of calcium in the arteries (atherosclerosis)? This is the “calcium paradox”. Researchers have finally uncovered the connection between these two serious health conditions: vitamin K. Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins first recognized for their role in blood clotting. For this reason, it had long been thought that deficiencies of vitamin K were rare; otherwise they would reveal themselves in some kind of bleeding disorder. New studies show that sub-clinical, non-hemostatic (non-blood) vitamin K deficiency in tissues such as bone and blood vessels exists widely in seemingly healthy adult populations. At the same time the discovery of vitamin K-dependent proteins in bone has revealed this vitamin’s most important function – aiding bone development by acting as a regulator and director of calcium in the tissues. Vitamin K helps guide calcium towards the areas of the body where it is needed, such as the skeleton, and away from areas where it could have a negative effect, such as the cardiovascular system. Vitamin D is required for the absorption of minerals such as calcium while vitamin K is needed to direct the minerals to the right place, preventing an inappropriate calcification of soft tissues. Likewise, cells only produce osteocalcin and the matrix GLA protein (MGP) in the presence of vitamin D, but vitamin K is necessary to activate those proteins to do their jobs. There is even evidence to suggest that the safety of vitamin D is dependent on adequate vitamin K and that vitamin D toxicity (which is extremely rare with the D3 form) is actually an induced deficiency of Vitamin K2 (Masterjohn).

Vitamin K and Bone health
Although calcium can be found easily in foods and dietary supplements, it is not fully utilized without going through a number of biochemical channels. Scientific evidence shows that vitamin K2 is very active in the tissues where it serves to increase the absorption of calcium into the bones by facilitating the mineral-binding function of osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is an important protein synthesized by bone forming cells called osteoblasts. Osteocalcin helps to build bones and hold calcium in the bones. Osteoporosis is one of the top health concerns for menopausal women. A number of prescription medications are now available to treat osteoporosis, however many of those make bone density test results look better without really improving the strength of bones or reducing the incidence of fracture. At least a dozen clinical studies now document the true bonebuilding benefits of Vitamin K2 (Weber). The effect has been extensively studied in menopausal women, the group with the highest risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture. In this group, the nutrient improved bone strength and bone mineral density and reduced the rate of hip fracture. K2’s bone-building and fracture-preventing effects have also been proven in patients receiving steroid therapy, dialysis patients and people with bone density loss due to paralysis.

The K2 advantage
Natural Factors Vitamin K & D features vitamin K2 as menaquinone (MK-7), an advanced, fat-soluble form of vitamin K that serves multiple functions in the body. The K family consists of a trio of vitamins: K1 (phylloquinone), naturally occurring in leafy green vegetables and plant oils; K2 (menaquinone) present in butter, cow’s liver, eggs, certain cheeses and natto, a fermented soybean food; and K3, a synthetic form of the vitamin. K3 has been shown to have toxic effects on the liver and K1 does not have adequate benefits on calcium metabolism to dramatically improve osteoporosis or atherosclerosis. Only K2 in the form of MK-7 has been shown to offer 24-hour protection from a single daily dose. Other commercially-available subtypes of K2, such as MK-4, only last four to six hours in the body and are required in much larger dosages to be effective.

Vitamins K and D: better together
Vitamin D has long been considered a classic nutrient for bone metabolism. It supports bone development and is needed for calcium absorption. Natural Factors Vitamin K & D uses vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), a natural form of vitamin D that is safer and more biologically active than D2 (ergocalciferol), a synthetic form of vitamin D. New evidence shows that vitamins K2 and D3 work synergistically to improve bone density. Many of the clinical trials examining the effects of K2 on bone density found a much greater effect when Vitamin K2 and D3 were given together as opposed to either nutrient alone (Weber).

Vitamin K and atherosclerosis
When soft tissues such as blood vessels are damaged, the body responds to this injury by invoking an inflammatory response that can result in calcium deposits in the damaged tissue. This is a major mechanism underlying the development of coronary artery disease which leads to heart attack. Epidemiological studies show that increased dietary intake of K2 (but not K1) is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. The Rotterdam study, a population-based study of almost 8,000 men and women over the age of 55, investigated factors that determined the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. All other factors being equal, participants with the highest Vitamin K2.

Source:  Natural Factors

Where Great Health Begins

Vitamin K & D intake had 50% lower risk of death from coronary heart disease and calcification of the coronary arteries than people with the lowest intake of K2 (Geleijnse, et al). Animal studies show that K2 not only prevents hardening of the arteries, but can actually reverse the calcification of highly-calcified arteries (Schurgers, et al). Vitamin K2 does this by activating MGP, a powerful inhibitor of vascular and other soft tissue calcification. areas of the liver. At least three clinical trials have shown a marked reduction in the risk of developing HCC in individuals taking vitamin K2 (Kaneki, et al). cases of vitamin D toxicity where the dose was intentional (as opposed to accidental overdose) the form used was D2, a synthetic form of vitamin D. There has never been a published report of toxicity resulting from intentional doses of vitamin D3 (Sullivan). Natural Factors only uses the naturally-occurring D3 form of vitamin D.

K & D in the diet
Vitamin K1 is easy to obtain from green leafy vegetables. The bacteria in our intestines will convert some of that to K2, but not enough to prevent or treat atherosclerosis and osteoporosis. K2 is found in the diet in natto, a fermented soybean food popular in Japan, as well as in butter, meat, egg yolks and organ meats from animals that are fed naturally on grass instead of grain. As grass-fed animal products are rare nowadays and a taste for natto is difficult to acquire for most non-Japanese, a vitamin K supplement is the best way to ensure you are getting an optimal daily dose of this important nutrient. Vitamin D is sometimes referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” because we can synthesize it in our skin when exposed to sunlight. However, experts now agree that vitamin D supplements are necessary for most people that live in northern latitudes such as Canada, since there is insufficient sunlight for vitamin D production during at least six months of the year.

Dosage
1 softgel daily, or as directed by a health care practitioner. An optimal daily intake of vitamin K is currently being established. The recommended daily intake now stands at 120 mcg. With respect to vitamin D, scientists around the world are calling to quadruple its recommended daily intake to at least 800 IU daily. Each softgel of Natural Factors Vitamin K & D provides 120 mcg of vitamin K2 as MK-7 from natto and 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), the most biologically active form of vitamin D.

K2 and dental health
Our evolving knowledge of Vitamin K2 makes it clear that this nutrient plays an important role in dental health. Teeth contain a special tissue called dentin that, like bones, secretes the K2-dependent protein osteocalcin to regulate calcium deposition. This may explain why the salivary glands have the second highest concentration (after the pancreas) of K2 of all the tissues in the body. Both vitamin K and K-dependent proteins are secreted into the saliva, although the precise role of these is still unknown (Masterjohn). It stands to reason that Vitamin K2 will soon be shown to have the same mineral-building benefits in teeth as it does in bone via the action of osteocalcin.

Summary
Researchers worldwide are only beginning to uncover the many essential roles that Vitamin K2 plays in our health. Our growing understanding of this nutrient is rapidly redefining cardiovascular disease as an illness of nutritional deficiency. In addition to its actions on bone metabolism, it appears to be an underlying factor in diabetes, liver cancer and promoting healthy teeth. We also know that vitamin K acts synergistically with vitamin D, another fat-soluble vitamin that offers big benefits for bone health. For most people, diet alone will not help them meet their daily requirements of vitamins K2 and D3. Be sure to achieve your optimal daily intake of both with Natural Factors Vitamin K & D.

Diabetes: the vitamin K connection
Recent research has revealed an astounding fact: our bones help control diabetes. Osteocalcin, the hormone produced by bones to increase density, has also been shown to improve both insulin secretion and sensitivity. Insulin resistance is a major underlying factor in Type II diabetes. Since osteocalcin is a vitamin K-dependent protein, scientists are questioning whether the newly identified widespread deficiency of the vitamin could be an underlying factor in the equally widespread diabetes epidemic. The potential therapeutic benefit of vitamin K in diabetes remains to be investigated in human trials.

Safety
Vitamin K2 is very safe with no known upper limit or toxic dose.
Pregnancy and lactation: Safe during pregnancy and lactation. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should be especially conscientious about their vitamin K intake since vitamin K deficiency has been linked to birth defects. Children: Children age four and up require 55 mcg of vitamin K2 daily. Choose a product that has an appropriate dosage for your child’s age.