Getting Plenty of Vitamin D and Vitamin K is Extremely Important for Good Health and a Strong Immune system.
Vitamin D and vitamin K are exceedingly important for building strong bones and has the following benefits:
- Promotes healthy bones and teeth
- Supports immune, brain, and nervous system health
- Regulates insulin levels and supporting diabetes management
- Supports lung function and cardiovascular health
- Influences the expression of genes involved in cancer development
Indeed, studies have shown that children and adults with low vitamin D levels tend to have lower bone density and are more at risk for bone loss than people who have a normal level of vitamin D.
Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is very common. In areas where the sun doesn’t rise on a daily basis like in the Midwest and eastern parts of the US people commonly have vitamin D deficiency. This deficiency affects about one billion people worldwide. A supplementation is necessary for those areas that are not exposed to sunlight or that people don’t get enough vitamin D through their foods.
You may be able to get enough vitamin D through sun exposure and food sources such as fatty fish, liver and cheese. However, many people need to supplement with up to 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily to maintain optimal levels.
Vitamin K2 supports bone health by modifying osteocalcin, a protein involved in bone formation. This modification enables osteocalcin to bind to minerals in bones and helps prevent the loss of calcium from bones.
The two most common forms of vitamin K2 are MK-4 and MK-7. MK-4 which exists in small amounts in liver, eggs and meat. Fermented foods like cheese, sauerkraut and a soybean product called natto contain MK-7.
Many studies have shown that supplementing vitamin D with either form of vitamin K2 supports osteocalcin modification and increases bone density in children and postmenopausal women.
Bottom Line: Getting adequate amounts of vitamins D and K2 from food or supplements may help protect bone health and will support your immune system.
© Copyright – Hector Sectzer
