A few years ago, the view was that vitamin K was involved mainly in the blood coagulation process. Currently, we know many other functions that this vitamin fulfills in the body. Vitamin K is responsible inter alia for healthy bones, prevents the mineralization of calcium and phosphorus in the blood vessels and the development of cardiovascular diseases. What are the natural sources of vitamin K?
Calcium and phosphorus are important minerals for bone health, but their concentration must be adequate to dissolve and be used for the body’s needs.
Too high levels of calcium and phosphorus in the body can cause many problems. If there are no factors in the body conducive to the dissolution of these substances, they can crystallize in the blood vessels and tissues. This process is called calcification. The presence of vitamin K is very important in the context of the use and distribution of minerals in the body.
In the absence of vitamin K, the crystallized minerals become hard and can damage the blood vessels. Crystals can form both inside the blood vessel and in the walls of the arteries. In this way wounds arise that weaken blood vessels and can cause more serious consequences, especially at elevated blood pressure or diabetes.
The body is equipped with a mechanism that solves the question of crystallization of minerals by creating (from protein) special substances that help remove excess minerals. These proteins, which are strong inhibitors of the crystallization process, need vitamin K1 and K2 to do their job. Protein factors that require vitamin K1 and K2, which inhibit calcium crystallization, have been identified in the bones, cartilage, artery walls, vascular smooth muscle, kidneys and liver.
Facts about vitamin K1 and K2
- Vitamin K is an essential factor needed for the coagulation of blood, bone metabolism, prevention of the mineralization of blood vessels and regulation of many cellular functions.
- Vitamin K deficiency can cause problems with blood clotting.
- The recommended daily dose of vitamin K is 90 micrograms per day for women and 120 micrograms for men.
- Vitamin K is involved in regulating the level of calcium in the bones and is important in the prevention of osteoporosis.
- The effects of vitamin K supplementation are scientifically tested to support the cardiovascular system.
The best source of natural vitamin K2
The OMEGA+++ dietary supplement contains omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids that regulate blood cholesterol levels. It also contains vitamin K2 as a factor supporting heart health. Supports blood vessels and arteries by removing excess calcium and phosphorus from smooth muscle and thus reduces the risk of aneurysms in the heart, brain, kidneys and abdominal organs.
Vitamin K1 is quite easily provided by eating green vegetables, however, vitamin K2 is more difficult to find in everyday food, as it occurs mainly in some fermented food products, for example in fermented soya extract (natto) or animal liver. In the Lifepharm supplement, fermented soy extract was used as the best source of vitamin K2.
