Vitamin K2 – the key vitamin for optimal utilization of calcium
Vitamin K2 is shown to have significant importance for optimal utilization of calcium in the body related to bone- and cardiovascular health. Studies indicate that the Western diet is deficient in vitamin K2. Thus, daily supplementation is expected to be beneficial for the bone building process as well as for cardiovascular health. Different forms of vitamin K2 are well documented and shown to be safe in numerous humans studies.
K2VITAL™ is a new vitamin K2 product containing the most efficient form of vitamin K2, trans-menaquinone-7 (MK-7).
Vitamin K
Vitamin K belongs to the group of fat soluble vitamins (Vit A, D, E, K
). Vitamin K is an important micronutrient and is an essential co-factor for the functioning of several proteins involved in a.o. blood clotting, bone metabolism and inhibition of calcification of blood vessels.
The importance in choosing the right vitamin K2
The vitamin K group consists of two main sub-families, the vitamin K1 and vitamin K2s. The difference lies in the side chains, which determines the uptake from the intestine and the distribution in the body. Vitamin K1 is transported to the liver and has its prime role is in blood clotting. Vitamin K2 is primarily a co-factor for activation of Osteocalcin located in the bones and the Matrix Gla Protein located in the cartilage and vascular smooth muscle cells. Vitamin K is critical for the function of these twp proteins.
Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) has the best bioavailability of all K-vitamins with a serum half-life of up approx. 72 hours, compared to MK-4 and vitamin K1 with half-lives of only 1-2 hours. For maximum effect in the body, MK-7 is thus the optimal source of vitamin K.
Vitamin K2 deficiency
Vitamin K1 is found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale and broccoli. The vitamin K2 that appears to have a particularly good effect on heart and skeleton is less abundant in foods. The highest concentration occurs in natto, a traditional Japanese soy bean dish. Vitamin K2 is also present, though to a small degree, in fermented cheese. However, large amounts of foods consumed each day would be needed to achieve the recommend Vitamin K2 dose of 45 µg (MK-7). Scientists have measured the proteins activated by vitamin K2 in individuals on normal western diets and concluded that there is a vitamin K2 deficiency among the western population.
K2VITAL – the only product with pure MK-7
K2VITAL™ is the only known product available based on pure biological active MK-7. To cover daily requirements of vitamin K2, supplementation with K2VITAL™ is a good alternative.
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