Doctor's Perspective

What's missing from your bone health protocol?

Did you know that 70% of patients are deficient in Vitamin K2?

Calcium and vitamin D are important mediators in bone growth, but vitamin K plays an equally important role. The synthesis of bone growth is dependent on vitamin K, through its carboxylation of osteocalcin, a protein secreted by osteoblasts. Osteocalcin guides calcium into bones and prevents its absorption into organs, joint spaces and arteries.

Emerging research highlights the importance of optimal intake of vitamin K and its critical role in maintaining bone and cardiovascular health.

Vitamin K:

• is required for the proper utilization of calcium and helps to bind newly absorbed calcium to the bone matrix
• helps maintain bone mineral density by decreasing the activity of cells which break down bone
• provides critical cardiovascular protection by activating a potent inhibitor of circulatory calcification (matrix Gla protein (MGP)).

Vitamin K occurs in three main forms:

• K1 (phylloquinone), found primarily in the liver, naturally occurs in green leafy vegetables and is considered to be the main dietary source
• K2 (menaquinone), which is a group name for a family of related compounds differentiated by their side chains
• K3 (menadione), which does not have vitamin K activity

MK-4 and MK-7 are the two subclasses of K2 most widely studied for their role in bone and cardiovascular health.

• MK-4 is primarily a metabolic byproduct of K1 while MK-7 is found in small quantities in liver mitochondria and other tissues.
• The MK-7 form is substantially more active, has a longer half-life and accumulates to higher concentrations in serum than vitamin K1. The different degrees of bioavailability between K1 and K2 are due to differences in structure. The long side-chain of vitamin K2 (specifically MK-7) allows it to bind with fat particles in circulation. This process then allows easier facilitation to soft tissue, bones and arteries.

Although most people consume adequate dietary levels/ amounts of vitamin K to maintain sufficient blood clotting, most do not consume enough MK-7 to meet cardiovascular and bone health needs. Current research has found high-concentration supplementation results in improved clinical outcomes compared to lower-dose supplementation.

Are you using the right form of Vitamin D with K2 to optimize your cardiovascular health, arterial function and bone density?  Discuss bone health with Dr. Sinda at your next appointment or schedule a consultation to meet with him. Vitamin D with K2 supplements are available at IDH.

Watch this video from Ortho Molecular describing how the role of K2 is important for strong bones.

 

Published on: 02-02-2018