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How Vitamin K2 Protects Against Heart Disease by Altering Blood Clotting

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Jackwilson
How Vitamin K2 Protects Against Heart Disease by Altering Blood Clotting

One of the fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin K2 is essential for normal blood clotting, bone and heart function. Many proteins are involved in the intricate process of blood coagulation, including platelets, fibrinogen, and clotting factors. Blood clots can't form without calcium, and vitamin K2 aids in activating proteins that facilitate calcium binding. Diseases of the heart and blood vessels, like heart attacks and strokes, can be caused by clotting that occurs too frequently. This article will explain how vitamin K2 helps the body coagulate its blood and how that in turn lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease.


K1 and K2: Inorganic vitamin K


Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone) are the most common types of vitamin K. (menaquinone). Green leafy vegetables are the best dietary source of vitamin K1 since they are so rich in this nutrient. Crucially, it activates coagulation factors, which are essential to the clotting process. Vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods and in animal products. More so than vitamin K1, it has been found to alter calcium regulation and bone health. Too much blood clotting can cause cardiovascular disease, but vitamin K2 helps keep that from happening.


Vitamin K2 and the Control of Calcium


The vitamin K2 is very important in controlling the calcium levels. While calcium is vital for strong bones, too much of it in the blood and soft tissues can cause heart problems. Bone mineralization is aided by the binding of calcium to the protein osteocalcin, which is activated by vitamin K2. Another protein, matrix Gla protein (MGP), is activated by vitamin K2, and it too works to reduce calcium buildup in arteries and other soft tissues. Arterial calcification is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but this technique helps to prevent it. This means that vitamin K2 is essential for both bone and cardiovascular health.


Bone Health and Vitamin K2


Because of its role in activating osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to bones, vitamin K2 is crucial for bone health. Due to insufficient levels of vitamin K2, the bone-building protein osteocalcin remains inactive, preventing the proper deposition of calcium in the skeleton. The risk of fractures and a decrease in bone density result from this. In particular, postmenopausal women benefit from vitamin K2 supplementation, which has been demonstrated to increase bone mineral density and decrease fracture risk. So, it is crucial to get enough vitamin K2 in one's diet to maintain strong and healthy bones throughout one's lifetime.


The Benefits of Vitamin K2 for Your Heart


The cardiovascular benefits of vitamin K2 are not to be underestimated. Atherosclerosis, a disorder in which arteries narrow and stiffen, can be avoided by avoiding the buildup of calcium in artery walls. There is a correlation between atherosclerosis and the development of cardiovascular disease. This is because vitamin K2 activates a protein called matrix gla protein (MGP), which inhibits calcium from accumulating in artery walls by binding to it. Low vitamin K2 levels have been linked to an increased danger of cardiovascular disease, according to research. Vitamin K2 supplements, on the other hand, have been shown to boost cardiovascular health and lessen the likelihood of heart disease.


So how does vitamin K2 work to keep your heart healthy?


To keep calcium from accumulating in artery walls, vitamin K2 activates a protein called matrix Gla protein (MGP), which in turn reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. VSMs secrete MGP, which is triggered by vitamin K2. Activated MGP binds calcium, preventing it from accumulating in artery walls (where it would raise the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease). Inflammation is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and vitamin K2 helps to minimise that risk. Hence, consuming enough vitamin K2 is crucial for avoiding heart disease and keeping your heart healthy.


Problems of Blood Clotting Due to a Lack of Vitamin K2


Excessive bleeding and bruising are just two symptoms of vitamin K2 insufficiency. Because without vitamin K2, clotting factors cannot be activated and used to stem bleeding in the event of a ruptured blood vessel. Lack of vitamin K2 prevents the activation of coagulation factors, preventing the blood from clotting. Because of its role in activating matrix Gla protein (MGP) and preventing arterial calcification, vitamin K2 deficiency has also been linked to cardiovascular disease. Hence, vitamin K2 deficiency can lead to a variety of health issues, including blood clotting disorders and heart disease.


Sources of Vitamin K2 in Food


The animal products such as milk, meat, and eggs are rich in vitamin K2. Foods that have been fermented, such as the Japanese fermented soybean product natto, are the best sources of vitamin K2. Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is a type of vitamin K2 found in natto that, because of its longer half-life, is more efficient at preventing arterial calcification than other forms of vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 can also be found in liver, poultry, cheese, and butter. Consuming vitamin K2 from animal products is essential to maintain appropriate consumption because the body does not efficiently convert vitamin K1 from plant sources into vitamin K2.


Formulas for Adding Vitamin K2 to Your Diet


Vitamin K2 is found primarily in animal products, so eating those is one way to get more of it into your diet. Meals benefit from the versatility of cheese and butter, which may be used both as toppings and in the kitchen. Natto is a popular snack in Japan and is often used as an ingredient in savoury dishes like sushi. vitamin k2 can also be found in meats like chicken and beef, as well as eggs. It's also possible to get vitamin K2 in the form of a liquid or capsule supplement. It is important to talk to a doctor before starting any supplement programme to be sure it will be safe and helpful for you.


Conclusion


Vitamin K2 is critical for heart and bone health and for preventing abnormalities in blood coagulation. Many people may need to increase their intake of animal-based foods that are naturally rich in vitamin K2 in order to achieve recommended daily allowances. If you want to be sure you're getting enough vitamin K2 for optimal health, a high-quality supplement like Ephuroalabs Vitamin K2 can help. Always consult your doctor before beginning a new supplement programme.

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