Vitamin K2 Benefits Longevity

Let me start out by saying that vitamin K2 benefits are amazing. This one simple addition to your daily diet can have a profound impact on lowering your risk for most age-related diseases. And vitamin K2 benefits also play a role in longevity.

A recent 2014 study of more than 7,000 people showed that those with the highest intake of vitamin K2 were 36% less likely to die from any cause when compared with those having the lowest intake of this critical nutrient.

The table below highlights how vitamin K2 benefits you in reducing your risk for many of the leading causes of death.

Vitamin K2 Benefits in Risk Reduction

Vitamin K2 Benefits – Atherosclerosis

One of the major issues in aging is the calcification of our vascular system. The smooth muscle cells in our arterial walls are transformed into bone-like cells through calcium deposits. This is termed “hardening of the arteries” or what the medical community calls atherosclerosis.

Your arteries become less flexible and less effective in properly regulating your blood flow.

This is an abnormal condition because your body has a powerful inhibitor to arterial calcification in the form of matrix Gla protein, one of 16 Gla-proteins activated by vitamin K. This specific Gla-protein is only produced by your arterial wall when it’s activated by the sufficient presence of vitamin K2.

This information has been know for nearly 25 years but unfortunately it has not been communicated to the general public. Multiple studies have shown that higher intake of vitamin K2 prevents atherosclerosis in all major vessels and can reverse the calcification of these arteries.

Plus the activation of matrix Gla proteins inhibit the production of inflammatory signaling molecules called cytokines. This is important because inflammation of the vascular system contributes to plaque formation and calcification.

Vitamin K2 Benefits – Osteoporosis

There have been several excellent studies showing that the combination of vitamin K2 with vitamin D3 is beneficial in stopping the progression of osteoporosis.

The best way to describe this is to view vitamin K2 as the traffic cop. Calcium supplements and vitamin D3 aid in the absorption of calcium. Vitamin K2 then holds the calcium in the bones and directs where the calcium will go in the body.

In a study with postmenopausal women who had a preexisting condition of osteoporosis, they took either a placebo or a combination of 1,500 mg of calcium carbonate and 45mg of vitamin K2 for 48 weeks. When compared to their initial baseline readings, the women taking the vitamin K2/calcium supplement had an increase in spinal bone mineral density and a 55.9% reduction in inactive osteocalcin levels. This was significantly better than the placebo group.

Other Vitamin K2 Benefits

Diabetes – In a study of healthy young men:  four weeks of supplementing with 30 mg of vitamin K2 three times daily improved insulin sensitivity.

In another study:  vitamin K2 reduced the risk of developing Type II diabetes by 7% for each 10-microgram increase in intake.

Cancer – In human colon cancer cells, vitamin K2 has been shown to induce cancer cell death.

For men, vitamin K2 has demonstrated a 63% lower risk for advanced prostate cancer when the highest intake of this nutrient is compared to the lowest intake.

And in a large European study, cancer death was lowered by 28% in those with the highest intake of vitamin K2 when compared to those with the lowest intake.

Final Comments on Vitamin K2 Benefits

There are two forms of vitamin K: vitamin K1 which is phylloquinone and vitamin K2 which is menaquinone. You want the menaquinone form. From a supplement purchase you want to buy either menaquinone, MK-4 or menaquinone-4, or MK-7 which is menaquinone-7.

And if you’re on a blood thinning medication, then check with your doctor. While vitamin K1 can interfere with blood thinning medications, vitamin K2 does not. However, it’s always best to check with your doctor or pharmacist.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer