Vitamin K2: Everything You Need to Know

Most people have never heard of Vitamin K2.

This vitamin is rare in the Western diet and hasn’t received much mainstream attention.

However… this powerful nutrient plays an essential role in many aspects of health.

In fact, vitamin K2 may just be the “missing link” between diet and several killer diseases.

What is Vitamin K?

Vitamin K was discovered in 1929 as an essential nutrient for blood coagulation (blood clotting).

How do Vitamins K1 and K2 Work?

The main function of Vitamin K is modifying proteins to give them the ability to bind calcium.

Vitamin K2 May Help Prevent Heart Disease

Calcium build-up in the arteries around the heart is a huge risk factor for heart disease (5, 6, 7).

For this reason, anything that can reduce this accumulation of calcium may help prevent heart disease.

Vitamin K2 May Help Improve Bone Health and Lower The Risk of Osteoporosis

Vitamin K2 activates the calcium-binding activity of two proteins called Matrix gla protein and osteocalcin, which help to build and maintain bones (13, 14).

Vitamin K2 May Improve Dental Health

Based on animal studies and the role vitamin K2 has in bone metabolism, it is reasonable to assume that it impacts dental health too.

Vitamin K2 May Help Fight Cancer

Two clinical trials suggested that vitamin K2 reduces recurrence of liver cancer and increases survival times (24, 25).

Foods Rich in Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is mainly found in certain animal foods and fermented foods, which most people don’t eat much of.

For more information,  please visit:
http://authoritynutrition.com/vitamin-k2/