“Supplements can be your best friend or worst enemy. It’s all about how you use them.” – Dr. Andrew Weil
Think of the case when you put premium gasoline in your car and do not even replace the oil. That is what happens when you take vitamin D without vitamin K. They are both powerful, fat soluble vitamins that play very important roles. But when they combine, their effects become more beneficial than even the experienced health experts can imagine.
So, let us deeply explore the reasons why vitamin D and vitamin K are best friends, and the way they interact in your organism. Why knowledge about this duo can be the clue to your stronger bones, healthier arteries, and a more balanced immune system.
Why Are Vitamin D and Vitamin K Often Taken Together?
So, before we dive into the details, let us establish the scene. This segment explains why these two fat-soluble vitamins are frequently grouped together in supplements and the manner in which they operate together.
How Vitamin D Works in Your Body
Vitamin D (D3 in particular) allows your body to absorb calcium in the food you consume or in supplements. That is excellent for making bones strong. Now here is the twist: unless you have sufficient amounts of vitamin K, that calcium can end up in the wrong areas, such as your arteries, rather than your bones.
What Is The Function Of Vitamin K?
Vitamin K enables the proteins to direct your body on where to direct calcium. Matrix GLA protein is one such protein that prevents calcium deposits in blood vessels. Another one, osteocalcin, facilitates the deposition of calcium in bones. In the absence of adequate K, calcium is misplaced.
Why the Combo Matters
Here is where synergy comes into play. Vitamins D and K2 are complementary. D enhances the absorption of calcium, and K2 tells calcium to go to bones and not to soft tissues. When properly used, the combination helps:
- Bone mineralization
- Cardiovascular health
- Immune balance
Discover: Anticholinergic Drugs List: All you need to know
What Happens When You Take Vitamin D Without K?
Consuming vitamin D without K raises the level of calcium in the body–and when it does, that calcium may accumulate in the arteries or the kidneys. Such an imbalance brings up questions such as:
- Arterial calcification
- High cardiovascular risk
- Kidney stone development
This is the reason that specialists are stressing vitamin D with K and not just supplementation.
What is the difference between K1 and K2?
To see the mechanism of action of vitamin K, it is necessary to understand the difference between K1 and K2.
- K1 (Phylloquinone)
K1, which is mainly involved with blood clotting, is found in green vegetables such as spinach and kale. The majority obtain sufficient amounts in their diets.
- K2 (Menaquinone)
Fermented foods such as natto and cheese contain K2. It is less prevalent in normal Western diets. K2 plays a crucial role in calcium metabolism and inhibits the calcification of soft tissues.
Vitamin D and vitamin K, K2 in particular, provides a comprehensive system in the case of calcium metabolism. D3 can also deposit calcium in the arteries instead of the bones unless it is accompanied by K2.
What are the Risks of a Lack of Vitamin K?
The harsh neglect of vitamin K2 in particular poses dire health effects. Whereas popular and commonly supplemented vitamin D is concerned, lack of vitamin K may pass unnoticed.
Symptoms of K2 deficiency are:
- Heavy bleeding or bruising
- Failure to produce strong or healthy bones
- Arterial hardening
Scientists have associated low consumption of K2 with osteoporosis and vascular diseases. This risk is taken unknowingly by many people, considering that most multivitamins lack K2.
Learn More: Discover the Amazing Benefits of Lychee Fruit for Health
Does K2 Help Absorb D3?
To be simple: Does K2 help absorb D3? Not directly. K2 does not facilitate the absorption of D3. Rather, it works hand in hand with D3 by regulating the calcium that D3 introduces into your system.
Consider it in this way: Vitamin D3 opens the door to calcium, and K2 determines where it will be placed. They do not operate in silos.
This is the reason why it is wiser and safer to combine vitamin D and vitamin K.
A Special Case to Watch: Vitamin D and Sarcoid
Sarcoidosis is an uncommon autoimmune disease in which the body can overproduce active vitamin D, causing a life-threatening amount of calcium in the body. It poses special threats.
In the case of sarcoid patients:
- Supplementation has to be thoroughly watched.
- The management of Vitamin D and sarcoid involvement ought to be under the care of a medical professional.
- K2 can be useful in preventing the displacement of calcium, yet the guidance of a professional is out of the question.
How Much Dosage Should You Take?
Proper dosing is more important than one thinks. Haphazard supplementation may represent a setback.
General Guidelines:
- Vitamin D3: 1000 -5000 IU/day (based on blood levels)
- Vitamin K2 (MK-7): 90 – 200 mcg daily
The two are fat soluble vitamins, and hence they should be taken with a fatty meal to enhance their absorption.
Periodic blood tests will maintain a good balance. Always talk to your provider in order to prevent excess D3 or vitamin K deficiency.
Conclusion
Now you know why vitamin D and vitamin K are not a trend. The combination forms a secure, efficient calcium delivery network. In isolation, vitamin D would increase health risks. It maintains healthy arteries and strong bones when combined with K2.
Therefore, do you need vitamin K with vitamin D? It would be yes, in most cases.
To maintain health in the long term:
- The two vitamins should be prioritized.
- Have blood levels checked.
- Take supplements containing vitamin D and vitamin K.
Vitamins D and K2 can have an incredible effect on your bone, cardiovascular and immune health when taken intentionally and educated.
Visit Caimlu for more information about health conditions, health products, and nutrients.