Vitamins and minerals work in synergy for our daily good health. Some vitamins are less well known than others. But they have a significant effect on the body. Take vitamin K, for example. Here's a look at its qualities.
Where does vitamin K come from?
Vitamin K seems to be less popular than vitamins A, C and E. Yet it plays an essential role in the body. It is found in many foods, including kale, parsley, watercress, soybeans, broccoli and fennel. Alternatively, its synthesis can be induced by certain bacteria present in the intestinal flora.
The K vitamins of most interest to scientists are vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. The former, known as phylloquinone, comes mainly from green vegetables. The second, called menaquinone, is produced in our intestinal tract following consumption of certain foods.
From now on, you'll be able to recognize them if you see them on food supplement labels. Vitamin K2 is the one we're going to focus on here.
What exactly is vitamin K2?
It belongs to the group of nutrients known as "fat-soluble". By this we mean that vitamin K2 has the ability to dissolve in fats. A considerable advantage of menaquinone is that it can be stored in your body.
On the one hand, vitamin K2 attracts researchers because of its positive effect on bone health. It does not act directly on the bone structure. Rather, menaquinone acts as a calcium regulator. We know that optimal calcium levels help fortify both bones and teeth.
The benefits of vitamin K2
Vitamin K plays a role in the fight against osteoporosis. High doses of vitamin K2 are useful in many cases. In fact, menaquinone can be found on some of the leaflets of dietary supplements used to combat osteoporosis and joint problems.
In concrete terms, vitamin K2 activates the production of osteocalcin. This hormone enables calcium to bind to the right place in the body.
Vitamin K2 belongs to the category of nutrients with a positive influence on the cardiovascular system. It also acts against diabetes and the onset of Alzheimer's.
Who benefits from menaquinone?
Everyone is concerned by this vitamin. Deficient in vitamin K2? Don't wait any longer to fill the gap. Here are the sources you can turn to. You'll find it in foods such as meat (especially liver), cheeses, fish oils and natto (fermented soybeans).
If you need to, you can buy products from parapharmacy or specialized websites to start a cure. They are available in capsule or liquid form. Vitamin K2 can be combined with vitamin D, especially vitamin D3, to ensure optimum assimilation and binding of calcium.
Caution: because of its properties, do not take vitamin K at the same time as anticoagulant substances, or ask your doctor for advice.
