OCTOBER 2, 2012 THE 'K' VITAMINS

Do not take life too seriously--you will never get out of it alive-  Elbert Hubbard






Did you know there is a Vitamin K? There are three groups of Vitamin K: K1, K2, and K3. Vitamin K1 is found in leafy green vegetables and higher plants. Vitamin K2 is produced by bacteria and not in higher plants and Vitamin K3 is a synthetic analogue and hardly used for supplementation.

Historically vitamin K is the clotting vitamin used for coagulation of blood. In the last ten years Vitamin K is being recognized for its role in bone health as well as cardiovascular health. Vitamin K is a
co-factor in the production of osteocalcin which is important as a bone building protein. Vitamin K is also a co-factor in some enzyme reactions essential for the body.
There are great studies on the effects of Vitamin K1 to natto MK7. These are important for the physician who utilizes Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2. There are more important studies on the effects of calcium concentrations int he largest artery in the body - the aorta. SA large study examined the dietary effects of K1 and K2 on aortic calcification. This was the large Rotterdam Study. Those with higher levels of Vitamin K had a reduced risk of mortality and morbidity for cardiovascular diseases.

Ask your doctor about takingVitamin K! If you are on an anticoagulant as warfarin (coumadin) you cannot take Vitamin K. Low intake of vitamin K2 is associated with higher risk of coronary calcium levels.

Until tomorrow....