What’s all of the hype around vitamin D3 and K2? Why is it necessary to supplement with both nutrients?
In a nutshell, D3 is safer and more effective with K2 to balance calcium in the body.
Bone Health
To put it simply, D3 transports calcium and K2 helps direct calcium absorption.
You may be thinking, calcium is a good thing, right? The amount of calcium isn’t as important as where that calcium ends up in your body. Is it in your arteries or in your bones?
According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the most common osteoporotic fractures are in the hip and wrists and according to a recent report, 1 in 3 women over the age of 65 will experience fractures along with 1 in 5 men.
When you take Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 together you are ensuring that calcium is not only transported but it is also absorbed by your bones.
Vitamin K2 also activates two proteins - a protein called matrix GLA and osteocalcin.
Matrix GLA removes calcium from soft tissues and osteocalcin helps calcium stay in the bones. As a bonus, research demonstrates that osteocalcin is also necessary for brain development and cognitive function.
Heart Health
By directing calcium away from the arteries and into the bones, Vitamin K2 supports heart health because calcification of the arteries is a key component of heart disease.
In fact a randomized controlled trial demonstrated a 12% increase in maximal cardiac output after four weeks of supplementation with 300 mg of Vitamin K2 per day followed by four weeks at 150 mg per day.
Higher intakes of Vitamin K2 is also associated with mitochondrial function, specifically the ability to manufacture ATP.
When we support our body’s ability to produce energy then we are more likely to have greater endurance.
One of the signs of aging is a decrease in cardiac output.
Bioavailable Forms of Vitamin D3 + K2
Menaquinone-7 is the most bioavailable form of K2 and requires a lower dose than other forms such as MK-4.
This is why Vitamin D3 + K2 from Elite Fuel uses the natural, most bioavailable and bioactive form of supplemental vitamin K2 (as MK-7) available and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), the exact form in which vitamin D is derived in the body from cholesterol and synthesized by sunlight on the skin.
References:
Obri, A., Khrimian, L., Karsenty, G. et al. Osteocalcin in the brain: from embryonic development to age-related decline in cognition. Nat Rev Endocrinol 14, 174–182 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrendo.2017.181
McFarlin BK, Henning AL, Venable AS. Oral Consumption of Vitamin K2 for 8 Weeks Associated With Increased Maximal Cardiac Output During Exercise. Altern Ther Health Med. 2017 Jul;23(4):26-32. PMID: 28646812.
Sato T, Schurgers LJ, Uenishi K. Comparison of menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-7 bioavailability in healthy women. Nutr J. 2012 Nov 12;11:93. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-11-93. PMID: 23140417; PMCID: PMC3502319.