Vitamin K2, Vitamin D and Calcium, an Essential Combination for Bone Health

Vitamin K2  is involved in the process of incorporating calcium to the bone

 
However, calcium does not provide protection from bone loss alone. Vitamin D and vitamin K2 are essential vitamins that work together with calcium to strengthen the skeleton.
 

Osteoporosis strikes elderly people

It is estimated that one in three women, and one in twelve men, aged higher than 55 will experience osteoporosis in their lifetime ¹. The skeleton requires optimum development and maintenance of its integrity to prevent fractures. There are several studies demonstrating the effects of calcium supplementation to reduce bone loss.
 

Vitamin K2 in addition to vitamin D and calcium

The effects that vitamin D have on calcium absorption are well documented. The absorption of calcium from the intestine requires calcium-binding proteins (Ca-BPs), the synthesis of which is increased by vitamin D. In the absence of vitamin D, calcium absorption is impaired. Vitamin D is also involved in production of bone-building cells (osteoblast).

Recent studies demonstrate that the western population exhibits extensive lack of vitamin D. New literature focuses on the importance of vitamin K2 in addition to vitamin D and calcium. It is well known that Vitamin K2 is a cofactor for activating the bone building protein osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is the most important protein that ties calcium to the extracellular hydroxyapatite matrix of the bone. Osteocalcin needs to be activated to fulfill this task and vitamin K is the only activator. Thus calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K2 are equally important, and they work together to improve bone health: Calcium is needed as the bone building brick, vitamin D is needed to increase absorption of calcium from the intestine as well as production of bone-building cells and vitamin K2 is needed for incorporating calcium to the bone structures.


References:

 1) International Osteoporosis Foundation 2009, >>Link