Vitamin K2: Bones, Cardiovascular Health, Blood Sugar Control & Cancer Prevention

Vitamin K is an important antioxidant nutrient well known for its important assistance in the clotting of blood.  It is also the target of the commonly over-prescribed Coumadin, adding to society-wide problems of vitamin K deficiency. Ironically, such deficiency causes hardening of the arteries via increased calcification of arterial walls.  Importantly, the lack of vitamin K is a major factor in poor bone health and new science shows it is also important for blood sugar regulation. Once again, the symptom-suppressing, drug-pushing medical profession needs to get its head out of the sand and quit harming people under the false pretense of pretended help.

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) in your diet comes primarily from green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is naturally produced by bacteria in your large intestine. Its highest dietary source is cheese (also in milk, yogurt, eggs, and beef).  Typical dietary intake is 90% K1 and 10% K2 (with additional intestinal production of K2).  While both forms of vitamin K are important, it does appear that vitamin K2 has a longer half-life in your blood, thus potentially providing enhanced vitamin K status.

Vitamin K1 and K2 act to modify a number of proteins so that they become biologically active. Vitamin K does this via a process known as carboxylation (converting glutamate in proteins to gamma-carboxyglutamate). This process is required for the proteins involved with blood clotting to work correctly. In an attempt to reduce the theoretical risk of stroke in an ever-expanding list of potential target patients, warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. (Coumadin) is given which directly blocks the carboxylation activity of vitamin K everywhere in the body. It also disrupts the vital antioxidant function of vitamin K¹. 

This sledgehammer approach disrupts normal clotting, resulting in warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. causing bleeding and increased risk for hemorrhage-fueled stroke. This is why warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. is the number one cause of trips to the emergency room. Heaven forbid if you get in car accident and need to clot. Former Israeli Prime Minister Arial Sharon is an example of someone reduced to a comatose state as a result of a warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors.-induced hemorrhage stroke.

Blocking vitamin K activity on blood-clotting cells does not address the source of a “sticky blood” problem. Rather it ignores the source of the problem, while seeking to block the last step of the problem. The logic is similar to stopping an ocean-floor oil spill by only standing on the beach with a mop. Even more ironic, new science shows that sticky blood may be a protective adaptation to excessive plaque  - while warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. may actually produce smaller plaques that are more harmful and risky to health.

Furthermore, relatively little vitamin K is needed for clotting enzymes to function. There are only so many receptors for vitamin K on these clotting cells. Once they are loaded with vitamin K then they have the potential to clot. In health, that means clot when needed. In inflammatory disease states, that means clot unpredictably with the potential for stroke. However, there is no such thing as higher levels of vitamin K intake promoting excessive clotting. To the contrary, higher levels of vitamin K intake are highly protective of cardiovascular health.

In comparison to the relatively small amount of vitamin K needed for clotting, a far larger amount is needed for bone health and other healthy vitamin K functions. New science shows that your liver prioritizes which of the 16 vitamin K proteins will receive the available vitamin K first. As it turns out, it feeds the 5 clotting proteins first. This means that using enough warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. to suppress vitamin K activity of clotting causes a significant shortage of vitamin K for other healthy functions. It is also now known that adequate vitamin K is needed to protect your liver against inflammation.

In a 2006 study a comparison was made between elderly Medicare patients with atrial fibrilation who were taking warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. (4461) and those who weren’t (7587).  The study showed an alarming 25% increased rate of fracture² with a very high rate of consequent mortality.  Other information clearly shows that both vitamin K1 and vitamin K2³ increase bone strength and reduce the risk of fractures.  It is proven in hip fracture patients that they have low levels of vitamin D, vitamin K1, and vitamin K2.  Invariably doctors, in typical MDiety fashion, claim that their drug-dispensing benefits outweigh the risks. How can they say that in the case of warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors.?

Vitamin K2 and Bone Health

Vitamin K works in harmony with the bone-building carpenter cells called osteoblasts. These cells produce a protein called osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion.. To become biologically active osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion. must be carboxylated by vitamin K.  Once this happens then osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion. can “glue” calcium into its correct three dimensional structure within the bone tissue matrix. Without adequate vitamin K calcium cannot be properly attached to bone. There is no way around this important step in bone formation. This means that vitamin K adequacy is needed for bone strength.

In participants of the Framingham Heart Study⁴ it was found that those with the highest level of vitamin K dietary intake had a 35% lower risk of hip fracture.

Vitamin K2 has been proven to activate osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion.⁵.  A study with postmenopausal women⁶ showed that vitamin K2 maintained the proper bone geometry of the hip resulting in better strength of the bone (preventing the loss of bone strength).  A study in patients with osteoporosis⁷ showed that supplemental vitamin K2 prevented new fractures, even though there was still a lack of bone density there was better bone strength.  Interestingly, in addition to enhancing the function of bone-building osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion., vitamin K2 has also been shown to turn down inflammation at the gene level, regulating NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. ⁸ in macrophages.  It is excessive inflammatory macrophage Type of white blood cell designed to "eat up" debris and pathogens. It also stimulates various cells to respond to pathogens. activity within bone that leads to excessive bone loss. 

A potent extract of vitamin K2 called MenaQ7 (menaquinone-7) is now available as a dietary supplement.  MenaQ7 is an extract of natto, the traditional fermented soy Japanese dish that is rich in natural menaquinone-7 (Mk-7), and is the most bioavailable and bioactive form of supplemental vitamin K2.  Only non GMO Genetically Modified Organism. Refers to an organism whose genetic material has been altered using various engineering techniques such as recombinant DHA technology. May be used in general terms to refer to Genetically Modified Foods (GMFs) soy is used in this combination of a traditional yet high tech process of making a dietary supplement ingredient.  This form of vitamin K2⁹ has demonstrated high absorption, a longer life in the blood, and an excellent boosting of biologically active osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion., making it an excellent form of vitamin K for dietary supplementation.  It requires only microgram doses to be effective.

Part of how vitamin K2 helps bones is by regulating the key inflammatory gene signal NF-kappaB Protein complex that controls DNA transcription and is involved with cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals, UV radiation, oxidized LDL, and infections. in osteoblasts and osteoclasts Type of bone cell that removes old, damaged bone by the process bone resorption..  By regulating this signal in bone-building osteoblasts it helps activate them. By regulating this signal in the potentially over-active bone-reducing osteoclasts Type of bone cell that removes old, damaged bone by the process bone resorption. it helps calm them down. The researchers called this “an effective mechanism for ameliorating pathological bone loss and for promoting bone health.”

Animal studies with vitamin K2¹⁰ as menaquinone-7 show a dramatic prevention of typical bone-loss biochemistry that is associated with the aging process. It also normalized the function of parathyroid Endocrine gland located on the posterior surface of the thyroid gland. Controls the amount of calcium in the blood and within bones. hormone, an important regulator of vitamin D and calcium balance.  It offset inflammation that provokes bone loss.  It improved glucose metabolism in bone tissue – indicating better bone tissue energetic metabolism.  It boosted osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion. concentration even in ovariectomized rats.  The authors concluded that menaquinone-7 “may play an important role in the prevention of age-related bone loss.”

A human study recently showed that vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 boosted the bone status¹¹ in patients following transplant surgery – which is a highly metabolically stressful event. 

A study with children¹² showed that this form of vitamin K2 (at a dose of 45 microgram per day) was able to significantly increase the amount of biologically active osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion.. This is important as maximizing bone health during bone growth years can have long-term bone benefits. It is also important for blood sugar metabolism, as will be discussed shortly.

Vitamin K2:  Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes Reducation & Cancer Prevention

Matrix Gla Protein is another key protein in your body that must be carboxylated (activated) by vitamin K. This is the protein in your circulation that prevents calcium from accumulating in your arteries and hardening them. When there is a dietary deficiency or a warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors.-induced deficiency of vitamin K carboylation activity then the inactive form of Matrix Gla Protein builds up in your blood and calcification of your arteries begins to occur.  The build up of the inactive form of Matrix Gla Proteins¹³ is highly predictive of cardiovascular disease risk.

An analysis of 4807 participants of the population-based Rotterdam Study showed that high dietary intake of vitamin K2 (menaquinone), but not vitamin K1, reduced the rate of mortality from coronary artery disease¹⁴.  In fact, the level of vitamin K2 was inversely related to the risk of death from any cause.  The authors concluded that vitamin K2 “could be important for coronary heart disease prevention.”

Scientists are now sounding alarm bells¹⁵ on the fact that warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. causes calcification of arteries and heart valves (not that the medical profession is listening).  The latest study¹⁶ documents the facts of the issue. The problem has been explained in the medical literature for the past five years¹⁷.

As I have previously explained in my recent article on another bone-building nutrient, Cissus quadrangularis, and in my earlier article, The New World of Bones – Thyroid, Leptin, Blood Sugar, and Bone Strength, biologically active osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion. not only acts to build bone it also acts as a hormone that travels to fat and boosts the production of the blood sugar regulating hormone known as adiponectin Protein hormone that modulates metabolism including glucose and fatty acid catabolism. High levels are associated with low body fat. . 

In a recently published study of 38,094 Dutch men and women ages 20 – 70 it was found that vitamin K2 intake had a statistically significant inverse relationship to the risk of developing type 2 diabetes¹⁸.  Vitamin K1 intake also trended in the preventive direction, though the benefit was not enough to be statistically significant. This finding corresponds to the science showing that vitamin K2 is a more potent activator of osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion. than vitamin K1 (although both help).

The link between osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion., type 2 diabetes, and the full metabolic syndrome¹⁹ has just been confirmed in the medical literature. It will only be a matter of time before research shows that disrupting osteocalcin Hormone secreted by osteoblasts for the bone formation process. It is also involved with pancreatic and insulin function and adiponectin secretion. activity with warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. either causes type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome or makes it worse.

The results have just been published on the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition - Heidelberg cohort study²⁰ involving 24,340 participants aged 35 – 64.  They were free of cancer at enrollment (1994-1998) were actively followed up for cancer incidence and mortality through 2008.  Their vitamin K1 and K2 dietary intake was tracked over these years and compared to cancer incidence and mortality. Vitamin K2, but not vitamin K1, was inversely associated with the risk of cancer and cancer mortality. The benefit of vitamin K2 was greatest for men, with a notable reduction in prostate and lung cancer.  The researchers concluded that the “intake of menaquinones, which is highly determined by the consumption of cheese, is associated with a reduced risk of incident and fatal cancer.”

Researchers at Minnesota’s Mayo Clinic have found that people who have higher intakes of vitamin K have a lower risk of developing Non-Hodgkin lymphoma Cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. .  Those in the top quarter of vitamin K-1, from diet and dietary supplements, had a 45% less risk for developing this cancer of immune cells.  As I mentioned earlier, warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. disables a cell’s vitamin K activity in the fat-soluble antioxidant network, which by definition exposes cells to higher amounts of free radical damage and potential mutation. 

A new study evaluated warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors.²¹ use in men showing up with prostate cancer. Two years or less of warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. use did not pose a problem in terms of prostate cancer severity.  However, men taking warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. for four or more years had a 220% increased risk of having advanced prostate cancer.  This finding is consistent with having long-term depletion of antioxidants. 

Collectively all these studies show that vitamin K2 is a potent health-boosting nutrient.  Its primary function is to make various key proteins biologically active so that they can perform bone building, enhance cardiovascular fitness, improve blood sugar metabolism, carry on normal blood clotting, and help protect against cancer.  That is quite an array of powerful function to attribute to one nutrient.  Sadly, the biological activity of this important nutrient is routinely blocked by the ridiculous and paranoid overuse of warfarin Prescription medication that acts an an anticoagulant or reduces the formation of blood clots by blocking the formation of certain clotting factors. – a crime against elderly Americans and a testament to the lack of understanding of the medical profession on how to actually improve cardiovascular health for patients in need. 

Article originally published on July 8, 2010.  Updated on May 19, 2011.