INTRODUCTION
In the quest for optimal health, certain vitamins play pivotal roles, and two stand out as a dynamic duo—Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2. Individually valuable, their combined benefits contribute to overall well-being. Most people are known to be deficient in Vitamin D, especially those that live in colder climates with less sun and those with poor diets.
Let's explore the remarkable advantages these vitamins offer.
KEY POINTS
- Vitamin D deficiency is very common, especially those who live in colder climates and have poor diets.
- Some benefits of Vitamin D includes, heart health, bone health, improves immunity, skin health and even improve testosterone.
- Vitamin D3 and K2 play an important role in regulating calcium levels. Vitamin D3 helps the body absorb calcium, while K2 ensures it ends up in your bones and not our arteries.
- The recommended form of Vitamin D to supplement with is Vitamin D3 between 1000-5000 IU per day (varies on individual needs).
- The recommended form of Vitamin K to supplement with is Vitamin K2 MK7 between 100-200 mcg per day.
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Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your supplement routine.
VITAMIN D3: THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN
Bone Health
Vitamin D3 is renowned for its role in calcium absorption, crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones. It helps prevent bone disorders like osteoporosis by ensuring adequate calcium levels.
Immune System Boost
This vitamin plays a vital role in supporting the immune system, aiding the body's defence against infections and illnesses.
Mood Regulation
Emerging research suggests a connection between Vitamin D3 and mood regulation. Adequate levels may contribute to mental well-being and help alleviate symptoms of depression. This is especially true during colder climates when there is less exposure to direct sunlight.
Skin Health
Vitamin D plays a role in supporting skin health. It is involved in regulating the growth and differentiation of skin cells, and it also helps in wound healing. Additionally, Vitamin D has been linked to the regulation of inflammation in the skin and may help in conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne.
In some cases, Vitamin D supplements may be recommended by healthcare professionals to address deficiencies and potentially improve skin health.
Improves Testosterone
Vitamin D is believed to play a role in testosterone levels, but the evidence is mixed. Some studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may help raise testosterone levels, particularly in individuals with low levels of vitamin D.
VITAMIN K2: THE CALCIUM TRAFFIC COP
Cardiovascular Health
Vitamin K2 works in harmony with Vitamin D3 by directing calcium to the bones and teeth, preventing its accumulation in arteries and reducing the risk of cardiovascular issues.
Bone Mineralization
Vitamin K2 plays a crucial role in bone health and mineralization. It works alongside other nutrients like calcium and vitamin D to ensure proper bone formation and strength. Vitamin K2 activates proteins that help bind calcium to the bone matrix, thereby promoting bone mineralization and reducing the risk of fractures. Research suggests that adequate intake of Vitamin K2 may be beneficial for improving bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis.
Cancer Prevention
While some studies suggest that vitamin K2 may have potential anti-cancer properties, the evidence is not yet conclusive. Some research has shown that vitamin K2 may help inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer cells and reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as prostate cancer. However, more extensive and robust clinical trials are needed to establish a definitive link between vitamin K2 supplementation and cancer prevention.
As of now, maintaining a balanced diet rich in various nutrients, including vitamin K2, is recommended for overall health, but it should not be solely relied upon as a cancer prevention strategy.
THE SYNERGY POWER OF D3 & K2
Heart Health & Optimizing Calcium Utilization
The combined action of Vitamin D3 and K2 is particularly advantageous for cardiovascular health. Together, these vitamins create a synergy that optimizes calcium utilization. Vitamin D3 helps absorb calcium, and Vitamin K2 directs it to where it's needed, fostering bone health and preventing arterial calcification, which occurs when calcium builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
By preventing calcium buildup in arteries, they support a healthy heart and reduce the risk of arterial stiffness.
Holistic Well-Being
The holistic benefits of this duo extend beyond bones and cardiovascular health. I can positively influence immunity, mood, and potentially other aspects of overall well-being.
While Vitamins D3+K2 may not directly improve holistic well-being on their own, ensuring adequate levels of these vitamins through diet, sunlight exposure, and supplementation (if necessary) can contribute to overall health and vitality.
However, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet and lifestyle, including regular exercise, stress management, and adequate sleep, for optimal holistic well-being.
INTAKE RECOMMENDATION
Vitamin D3: Vitamin D intake will differ from person to person, depending on their diet and the amount of their sunlight exposure. A general recommendation is between 1000-5000 IU daily of Vitamin D3.
Vitamin K2: According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the recommended daily dosage for male adults ages 19+ is 120mcg and a female of the same age would require 90mcg.
Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 work together directly, but the dosages of these two vitamins are independent of each other, which means that no matter how much vitamin D3 you take, the optimal dosage in order to benefit from the full effect of vitamin K2 always remains the same - between 100 and 200 mcg per day.
CONCLUSION
Vitamin D is crucial for several reasons. It helps regulate calcium and phosphorus absorption, promoting healthy bones and teeth. It also supports immune function, muscle strength, and mood regulation. Exposure to sunlight is a primary source, but dietary supplements and fortified foods can also provide it. Deficiency can also lead to weakened bones and conditions such as osteoporosis, increased risk of infections, and mood disorders like depression.
Vitamin K2 plays a vital role in bone health and cardiovascular health. It helps regulate calcium in the body, directing it to the bones and teeth where it's needed, rather than allowing it to accumulate in soft tissues like arteries. This action supports bone density and reduces the risk of osteoporosis and arterial calcification. Additionally, vitamin K2 is involved in blood clotting and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Proatein Mealz is aware of the importance of Vitamin D3 and K2 does for our health and is why we choose to add it to our products. We use 100% vegan sourced vitamin D3 and K2 in MK7 form.
The reason why we use Vitamin K2 MK7 is because it’s the highly bioactive form of vitamin K which supports increased soft-tissue elasticity in the heart and joints and encourages calcium absorption for healthier bones. To bind excess calcium and to promote arterial flow and flexibility, the matrix GLA protein (aka MGP), must first be activated by Vitamin K2 MK7.