Vitamin Ok, an important vitamin required by the human physique, retains the bones wholesome and helps blood clotting. The physique shops vitamin Ok within the liver, and it’s a fat-soluble vitamin. It is usually referred to as a clotting vitamin as a result of it permits blood clotting. Vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 are two types of vitamin Ok. Vitamin K1 helps in blood clotting, and vitamin K2 prevents bone loss and helps coronary heart well being. Calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 act collectively to maintain the bones wholesome. Vitamin K2 helps the bones to soak up calcium from the bloodstream and deposit it within the bone tissues. It additionally prevents calcium accumulation in smooth tissues like kidneys and blood vessels. A vitamin K2 complement is taken by individuals who need to enhance their bone and coronary heart well being. Vitamin K1 is discovered within the liver, coronary heart, and pancreas, and K2 is discovered within the mind and kidneys.
Vitamin K2 has extra well being advantages than vitamin K1. It helps in sustaining pores and skin well being, bone well being, and mind metabolism. Osteocalcin, which takes calcium from the bloodstream to bone tissues, is activated by vitamin K2. Osteocalcin can also be wanted for the formation and upkeep of wholesome enamel. Vitamin K2 can even cease bone loss in sufferers affected by bone-related illnesses, and it protects the center by inhibiting calcification in blood vessels. It’s important for blood coagulation which prevents exterior and inner bleeding. It additionally maintains the elasticity of blood vessels and reduces age-related bone-density points.
Sources of Vitamin K1 and K2
Inexperienced leafy greens like broccoli, kale, spinach, collard inexperienced, and cabbage are pure sources of vitamin K1. Fruits like prunes, kiwis, and avocados are additionally wealthy in vitamin K1. Nonetheless, the human physique can not take up vitamin K1 from crops simply. Vitamin K2 is present in animal-sourced meals and fermented meals. Vitamin K2 is present in liver, egg yolks, rooster, pork, beef, and dairy merchandise.
Kinds of Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 exists in 9 types, and an important types are MK-4 and MK-7. MK-4 has a brief half-life and is faraway from the blood in a short time and brought to tissues, organs, and the mind in a short while. It’s saved within the pancreas and artery. MK-7 has an extended half-life, and it’s the predominant type of vitamin K2.
Advantages of Vitamin K2
- Improves bone mass
- Reduces the chance of most cancers
- Regulates the extent of blood ldl cholesterol
- Reduces joint swelling in rheumatoid arthritis
- Treats stretch marks and bruises
- Maintains coronary heart well being
- Prevents calcification in blood vessels
Significance of Vitamin D
The vital operate of vitamin D is to take care of the calcium degree within the blood. It helps the physique take up calcium from the meals, and when folks don’t devour sufficient calcium, it maintains calcium ranges within the blood by drawing calcium from the bones. Vitamin D ensures that the calcium degree within the blood is adequate to fulfill the physique’s calls for.
Relation Between Vitamin D and Vitamin K2
Vitamin D will increase calcium ranges, and Vitamin K2 helps the physique take up calcium and retailer it within the bone tissues. Taking vitamin D with out vitamin Ok will increase the calcium degree within the physique, however the physique can not use it successfully. It raises the chance of calcium deposition within the arteries and smooth tissues. This situation is harmful as it might probably result in coronary heart assault or stroke.
A vitamin K2 complement reduces fractures and issues related to low bone density. It regulates calcium absorption and avoids calcification within the arteries, stopping extreme coronary heart issues. It reduces blood loss by serving to blood to clot quicker. Vitamin K2 additionally promotes versatile arteries and coronary heart valves and boosts cardiovascular well being.
