Unlocking Vitamin K2 Benefits: A Guide to Bone and Cardiovascular Health

Amongst the alphabetic array of vitamins, one that has experienced an upsurge of interest in recent times is vitamin K2. Belonging to the vitamin K family, vitamin K2 is one of three subtypes offering unique benefits, particularly for bone health and cardiovascular system health. To delve deeper into the fascinating world of vitamin K2 and learn how it can support general health and wellbeing, keep reading!

What is vitamin K?

Vitamin K is an umbrella term that encompasses three fat-soluble, structurally similar vitamins that play a crucial role in blood health and bone metabolism, including:

Vitamin K1 – also known a phylloquinone, is a natural form of vitamin K that is predominantly found in plant foods such broccoli, spinach, cabbage, asparagus and green tea. It is well-known for its important role in blood coagulation, an important process that prevents excessive bruising and bleeding associated with injury.Vitamin K2 – also known as menaquinone is mainly produced by microbial fermentation. Vitamin K2 is present in fermented foods and animal foods such as meat, cheese, eggs, natto and sauerkraut, with a small fraction produced by gut bacteria. While vitamin K2 can be found in a wide range of foods, its concentration is often very minimal.Vitamin K3 – also known as menadione is a synthetic form that does not naturally occur.

 

What is special about vitamin K2?

Now that you are well acquainted with the vitamin K family, let’s look at vitamin K2 more closely under the microscope. Bolstered by current and emerging research, vitamin K2 affords unique benefits, contributing significantly to maintaining the health of:

Bones – key components of the body’s skeleton, reinforced by calcium that are constantly being remodelled, with new bone tissue being built and old bone being broken down. After the age of 50 and during the post-menopausal phase in women, bone breakdown greatly outpaces bone formation. Vitamin K2 has a positive influence on bone health by supporting bone mineralisation and bone mineral density, which is fundamental for optimising bone integrity[1]. This is particularly important for post-menopausal women as the decline of the bone-supporting hormone, estrogen, increases the rate of bone loss. Vitamin K2 supports bone mass and strength in postmenopausal women[2], a key nutrient worth considering to keep bones in tip top shape during this period and beyond.

The cardiovascular system – brought about through its involvement in the regulation of calcium balance in the body. Calcium is an important electrolyte necessary for healthy nerve and muscle function but is also a key constituent of bone. In order for calcium to be used for bone-building purposes, calcium must be pulled from the blood and deposited into the bone matrix, keeping blood calcium at an optimal level. Vitamin K2 is