What is Vitamin K2?
You've probably heard about vitamin K2, but you're not sure what it does or how to get it. There are many benefits of vitamin K, including helping teeth and bones grow stronger. And because of its importance in bone health, it's good to know that it may help protect against tooth decay. Here are some of the most common uses of vitamin K2.
The best food sources for K2 are organ meats and high-fat dairy products. However, lean meats are not high-quality sources and are not recommended. It's also believed to help kill lung cancer cells, which may increase your lifespan. The evidence surrounding this supplement is still not conclusive. And although the research is still in its early stages, it seems to have benefits for overall heart health. When you eat meat, organ meats, and dairy products, you'll get ample amounts of vitamin K2 through your diet. It's also produced naturally in small amounts by bacteria in your digestive tract. Vitamin K is essential for bone health, blood clotting, and healthy blood. And it may also protect you from certain cancers and heart diseases. Though vitamin K deficiency is extremely rare, it can be increased by gastrointestinal problems. Consult your doctor if you're concerned about a lack of vitamin K.
While vitamin K2 is produced naturally in the human body, its intake in the diet is not nearly as effective as K1 due to a low-level of conversion. However, it is important to note that K2 is not as readily available as K1, which makes it harder to diagnose. Most medical practices don't offer vitamin K2-specific blood tests. If you think you're deficient in this vitamin, consult your physician.
What are the benefits of Vitamin K2?
Among the most important uses of vitamin K is in the prevention of heart disease. Calcium builds up in the arteries, so reducing calcium in the body may help prevent heart disease and heart attacks. In fact, a recent study of over 5000 men and women revealed that
vitamin K2 supplements may have beneficial effects. Although this vitamin can be found naturally in some foods, it is sometimes necessary to take a dietary supplement to get the right amount.
Another reason to take vitamin K2 is that it helps activate calcium-directing proteins in your blood. It is important to choose long-chain MK-7 vitamin K supplements for optimal results. This form of K2 is more stable in the body and offers more benefits to your bones. It's also available in
natural supplements UK.
Additionally, it improves glucose tolerance, and it may even reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support these claims. The only way to make an educated decision is to do your own research.
Studies on Vitamin K2
Although there are few long-term, controlled studies on the effectiveness of vitamin K2 for heart health, observational studies suggest that it can help protect bone tissue. This vitamin helps calcium move into bone, which is crucial for healthy bones. This vitamin works well with calcium to prevent the buildup of calcium in the arteries surrounding the heart. Calcium is necessary for healthy heart health, but it cannot protect your heart alone.
One study found that men who consumed high levels of vitamin K2 had a lower risk of prostate and lung cancer than those who did not. The study used data from more than 11,000 men in the
EPIC Heidelberg cohort. Researchers concluded that this vitamin was associated with a lower risk of artery calcification, which contributes to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Moreover, vitamin K2 can help strengthen bones, improve skin, and protect the brain.
The benefits of vitamin K2 for the body are numerous. One of them is that it helps activate calcium-binding proteins like osteocalcin and matrix GLA. These proteins help to build and maintain bones. Some controlled studies have shown that vitamin K2 can be beneficial to bone health.
The Rotterdam study, for example, looked at how vitamin K2 affected the development of several diseases in elderly people. They found that women who consumed vitamin K-rich foods had lower risk of developing heart disease.
How do I get enough Vitamin K2?
Although it is not known for its medical benefits, it may be important to your overall health. The dose of vitamin K2 recommended for adults is around 100 mcg a day. However, you should know that some medications interact with vitamin K2. Ask your health care provider whether
vitamin K2 is safe for you before starting a supplementation regimen.
In addition to its beneficial effects on bone health, vitamin K also helps prevent bleeding. Vitamin K1 is needed for healthy bones, while vitamin K2 is important for the prevention of hemorrhage and prevents blood clotting. If you don't consume enough vitamin K, it could affect the growth and development of cancer cells. So it's best to get your vitamin K levels from your daily diet. However, it's still recommended that you take it on a daily basis.
You can obtain vitamin K2 from foods and fermented foods. However, you'll need to eat plenty of natto to benefit from its benefits. This Japanese food is very difficult to find in western supermarkets, and it has an acquired taste. If you have gastrointestinal conditions, you should discuss taking dietary supplements with your doctor. The amount of vitamin K needed varies depending on your health. You can also take vitamin K2 supplements to prevent vitamin K deficiency.
