Vitamin K2, why is so important?

Vitamin K2 is believed to help in the prevention of cardiovascular disease by regulating calcium metabolism in the body. It helps to direct calcium to the bones and away from the arteries, reducing the risk of arterial calcification and playing an important role in the activation of matrix gla protein known as MGP commonly considered the strongest inhibitor of vascular calcification.

Now. Vitamin K Can Be Dangerous If You Take anticoagulants like Warfarin. Is important to know that Vitamin K is used by the body to help the blood clot. Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. By helping the blood clot, vitamin K might decrease the effects of warfarin. So, if you are using anticoagulants be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed by your doctor.

There is some evidence to suggest that vitamin K2 may have a protective effect against certain types of cancer, including prostate, lung, ovarian and liver cancer. Clinical trials demonstrated evidence indicates that can prevent cancer in patients with hepatic cirrhosis and can also decrease the risk of developing particularly prostate and lung cancer.

Furthermore, Vitamin K2 is confirmed to restrain tumor cell growth in animal studies, with cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis involved in this inhibition. Production of superoxide and dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential by vitamin K2 trigger apoptosis in human ovarian cancer TYK-nu cells. In summary in vitro studies certified that Vitamin K2 could inhibit the growth of several cancer cell lines.

Vitamin K2 may also have a positive effect on brain function and cognitive health, particularly in aging populations. In recent years, studies highlighted vitamin K2 involvement in brain cells development, survival, chemotaxis, mitogenesis, cell growth, and myelination. Moreover, vitamin K2 is also involved in the synthesis of sphingolipids, an important class of lipids present in high concentrations in brain cell membranes. Initially appreciated for their role as essential structural components of cell membranes, sphingolipids are now known to participate in important cellular events such as signaling, proliferation, differentiation, senescence, transformation and survival of brain cells.

In recent years, studies have linked alterations in sphingolipid metabolism to age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

It's recommended that males over 19 years old consume 120 micrograms daily, and females over 19 years old 90 micrograms daily. Recommended amounts for children depend on age. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what dose might be best for a specific condition.

With all this in mind, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 are both important nutrients that work together to support healthy bones and overall health. That’s why it's so important to maintain adequate levels of both vitamins through a balanced diet and or supplementation, particularly for individuals who are at risk of deficiencies.