Today I uploaded my recent article on Vitamin K2 to a number of Ezine sites, hoping to spread the word a little faster of the importance of this vitamin in the progression of two very serious maladies that occur in older men and women. The problem is that while they generally show up past middle-age, the underlying metabolic malfunctions start when we are young adults, and proceed unnoticed until the damage is well underway. The end result is low bone density (osteoporosis) on one hand, coupled in many cases with calcified joints, arteries (atherosclerosis) and other soft tissues on the other.
Vitamin K – in addition to regulating coagulation of blood, has been found to be a key regulator of how calcium is is distributed in the body’s tissues. Vitamin K1 is found primarily in green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K2 is normally manufactured by friendly intestinal bacteria from ingested vitamin K1. The best natural food source of vitamin K2 is derived from an ancient Japanese food called Natto. Natto is made from fermented soybeans and significant amounts of vitamin K2 are produced during the fermentation process. The typical Japanese diet supplies far more K2 than what we get in the western diet.
Research in the last decade suggests vitamin K plays a crucial role in many bodily functions. It may be a key vitamin to fight the signs of aging. Scientists are even looking at vitamin K to be the future of promoting immune health and supporting memory. With research now focusing on its potential effects on the brain, liver and pancreas, vitamin K is one of the most promising vitamins for maintaining peak health throughout the aging process.
Calcium has a important role in health, impacting all the Syndrome X conditions, including obesity, blood pressure disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and malfunctioning of cell signaling. Calcification of the arteries is a major known consequence of aging, as is the calcification of soft tissues and the accumulation of calcium within the cells.
Optimum calcium utilization depends on the interplay of a number of related compounds, such as magnesium, vitamin D3, and vitamin K. Just recently, the importance of vitamin K in regulating the healthy function of calcium has been recognized. It has been shown that vitamin K2 can be supplemented in very high doses, as used in Japan. It has been found to be safe even at 45 mg or more per day – up to a thousand times greater than generally occurring in the daily diet. Even small amounts of vitamins K1 & K2, can have a great impact on overall health. Vitamin K1 and more importantly, vitamin K2, play critical roles in preventing arterial calcification, which is a risk factor in coronary artery disease, as well as other calcification conditions associated with aging.
I, who have had a quad-bypass to correct for plugged coronary arteries, have been oblivious to this whole developing story. Now I’m taking the Life Extension Foundation’s Super booster with 1mg of K2 in hopes that I can reverse the process over the long haul. Since almost everyone develops one of these calcium-related issue as they reach old age, I recommend researching this nutrient and taking it to possibly prevent or reverse heart disease and/or osteoporosis.
Good Living – Frank
Frank Wilhelmi – Retired/consultant electronic engineer researches and reports practical strategies for optimizing health and fitness into advanced age. “I have a passion for living life to the fullest, and helping others to do the same.” A rapidly growing body of knowledge now enables us to extend our health and fitness decades beyond popular expectations.