Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 (or menaquinone) is closely related to vitamin K1 (or phylloquinone). They both also have structural similarities with co-enzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) and like CoQ10 are involved in energy production in the mitochondria.
Much more is known about. Vitamin K1 than vitamin K2. Vitamin K1 is found in green leafy vegetables and is important for blood clotting. It was only in 1997 that researchers discovered that vitamin K2’s role was not wholly related to blood clotting. More and more research is beginning to show that its role in blood clotting is relatively minor compared to its role in bone and glucose metabolism. High concentrations of vitamin K2 are found in the brain, heart and bone which suggests that it is important for the function of these organs.
Vitamin K2 is friends with Vitamin D
The majority of research articles dealing with Vitamin D fail to acknowledge that Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) and other nutrients work in concert with it to produce its effects on bone. For the calcium to find it’s way into bone requires Vitamin K2. It is estimated that most of the population has a low Vitamin K2. When low, this is associated with what is called ‘ectopic calcification’, which means that the circulating calcium, having nothing to bring it to bone, settles in odd places such as soft tissues, arteries (causing hardening) and joints. Low Vitamin K2 is also associated with a low bone density.
Sources of Vitamin K2
- Japanese Natto
- Dutch and Swiss type cheeses e.g. Gouda
- Foie Gras
Eating Natto is good for your
- Bones
- Heart
- Brain
- Teeth
- Skin
Different forms of Vitamin K2
K2 has several forms, which are numbered according to the length of their side chains e.g. MK4 and MK7. MK4 is the form the body produces from K1. Supplements containing MK4 are synthetic. MK7 is made from bacteria and has a longer half-life (lasts longer) in the body. It is often preferred in supplementation.
Inflammation
Vitamin K2 has a role (as does vitamin D) in suppressing inflammation. We now know that background levels of inflammation are associated with diabetes. We also know that Vitamin K2 has an effect on glucose metabolism and possibly the development of diabetes. Studies also show a link between diabetes and low bone mineral density (oseopenia and osteoporosis).
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Action plan Introduce your life to probiotic foods. Start slowly as those of you that have a poor intake of probiotic foods may experience the Jarisch Herxheimer reaction or ‘die off’. Think of starting with Dr Ese Powders. Once you have reached a normal dose then begin to introduce fermented foods.
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Conclusion
Fermented soya beans and fermented cheeses are wonderful sources of vitamin K2.