Vitamin K2 MK-4 Tablets | 100mcg Supplement for Blood & Bone Health | Oxford Vitality

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Raggi P, Shaw LJ, Berman DS, Callister TQ (May 2004). "Prognostic value of coronary artery calcium screening in subjects with and without diabetes". Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 43 (9): 1663–9. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2003.09.068. PMID 15120828.

However, at least one published study concluded that "MK-4 present in food does not contribute to the vitamin K status as measured by serum vitamin K levels. MK-7, however significantly increases serum MK-7 levels and therefore may be of particular importance for extrahepatic tissues." [3] There are many reasons for the modern, widespread deficiency of vitamin K2 MK-4: our aversion to eating offal, animals raised eating anything other than grass, factory farms, high antibiotic use in animal feeds and in humans, animals fed GMO corn and soy, soil depletion, glyphosate, processed foods and dysfunction of the gut. If you are taking a statin or blood thin­ner, you should know that these drugs create a deficiency in vitamin K2. Our elderly ancestors ate more of this nutrient as they aged. Osteocalcin. This non-collagenous protein is secreted by osteoblasts and plays an essential role in the formation of mineral in bone. Vitamin K has been shown to help activate a protein that helps prevent calcium from depositing in your arteries,” Zumpano explains. “Calcium deposits contribute to the development of plaque, so vitamin K does a lot of good for your heart health.”

Furthermore, OAC is often linked to undesired soft-tissue calcification in both children and adults. [28] [29] This process has been shown to be dependent upon the action of K vitamins. Vitamin K deficiency results in undercarboxylation of MGP. Also in humans on OAC treatment, two-fold more arterial calcification was found as compared to patients not receiving vitamin K antagonists. [30] [31] Among consequences of anticoagulant treatment: increased aortic wall stiffness, coronary insufficiency, ischemia, and even heart failure. Arterial calcification might also contribute to systolic hypertension and ventricular hypertrophy. [32] [33] Anticoagulant therapy is usually instituted to avoid life-threatening diseases, and high vitamin K intake interferes with anticoagulant effects. [ citation needed] Patients on warfarin (Coumadin) or being treated with other vitamin K antagonists are therefore advised not to consume diets rich in K vitamins. [ citation needed] In other organisms [ edit ] What we do know is that K3 causes disruption or rupture of red blood cells, toxic reactions in liver cells and depletion of glutathione; it weakens the immune system and can cause allergic reactions. 22 The potential for these negative effects is the reason the FDA banned K3 for human use. Vitamin K interacts with a few medications. In addition, certain medications can have an adverse effect on vitamin K levels. Some examples are provided below. Individuals taking these and other medications on a regular basis should discuss their vitamin K status with their health care providers. Warfarin (Coumadin) and similar anticoagulants Many bacteria synthesize menaquinones from chorismic acid. They use it as a part of the electron transport chain, playing a similar role as other quinones such as ubiquinone. Oxygen, heme, and menaquinones are needed for many species of lactic acid bacteria to conduct respiration. [34]

While much is still to be learned about vitamin K2, the signs so far point to an underutilized and underappreciated powerhouse for our bodies. Elder SJ, Haytowitz DB, Howe J, Peterson JW, Booth SL. Vitamin K contents of meat, dairy, and fast food in the U.S. Diet. J Agric Food Chem 2006;54:463-7. [ PubMed abstract] The reported amounts in comparable milk from the USA and the Netherlands differ by more than 40 times, so these numbers should be considered suspect. This group of vitamins includes two natural: vitamin K1and vitamin K2, and three synthetic vitamins: K3, K4 and K5. Natural forms (K1 and K2) are non toxic while synthetic K3 (menadione) has shown some type of toxicity to human. Vitamin K1 (also termed as Phylloquinone) is present in green plants. While vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is present in animal foods like dairy products, meat, fish, egg and cheese. These both naturally occurring vitamin types have their own roles in the body. Vitamin K1 plays a vital part in blood clot formation while vitamin K2 is important in bone, dental and heart health. Schurgers LJ, Teunissen KJ, Hamulyak K, Knapen MH, Vik H, Vermeer C. Vitamin K-containing dietary supplements: comparison of synthetic vitamin K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7. Blood 2007;109:3279-83. [ PubMed abstract]

Benefits of Vitamin K2 MK-4

Vitamin K functions as a coenzyme for vitamin K-dependent carboxylase, an enzyme required for the synthesis of proteins involved in hemostasis (blood clotting) and bone metabolism and other diverse physiological functions [ 3, 5]. Prothrombin (clotting factor II) is a vitamin K-dependent protein in plasma that is directly involved in blood clotting. Warfarin (Coumadin) and some anticoagulants used primarily in Europe antagonize the activity of vitamin K and, in turn, prothrombin [ 8]. For this reason, individuals who are taking these anticoagulants need to maintain consistent vitamin K intakes. Japanese doctors have long been prescribing much higher doses of a specific form of vitamin K2 as a treatment for osteoporosis. 3 A 10% drop in bone density more than doubles the risk for fractures of the vertebra and hip. 13 This Little is known about the absorption and transport of vitamin K produced by gut bacteria, but research indicates that substantial quantities of long-chain menaquinones are present in the large bowel [ 7]. Although the amount of vitamin K that the body obtains in this manner is unclear, experts believe that these menaquinones satisfy at least some of the body's requirement for vitamin K [ 6, 7]. When you think of strong and healthy bones, you may be tempted to think of calcium as the main nutrient to prevent fractures and osteoporosis.

A study conducted in Japan demonstrated that vitamin K2 has the ability to reduce the risk of liver cancer in patients with viral cirrhosis. The study results showed a 20% less chances of cancer as compared to control group. Geranyl-geraniolwas the suggested substance behind this effect, it is a byproduct of vitamin K2. This substance perhaps induces cell death in tumor and also inhibit cell growth. Rejnmark L, Vestergaard P, Charles P, Hermann AP, Brot C, Eiken P, et al. No effect of vitamin K1 intake on bone mineral density and fracture risk in perimenopausal women. Osteoporos Int 2006;17:1122-32. [ PubMed abstract] The following groups are among those most likely to have inadequate vitamin K status. Newborns not treated with vitamin K at birth Pucaj K, Rasmussen H, Møller M, Preston T (September 2011). "Safety and toxicological evaluation of a synthetic vitamin K2, menaquinone-7". Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods. 21 (7): 520–32. doi: 10.3109/15376516.2011.568983. PMC 3172146. PMID 21781006.

Is too much Vitamin K2 bad for you?

Conly JM, Stein K, Worobetz L, Rutledge-Harding S. The contribution of vitamin K2 (menaquinones) produced by the intestinal microflora to human nutritional requirements for vitamin K. Am J Gastroenterol 1994;89:915-23. [ PubMed abstract]