March 25, 2016 general

Given its importance, it is quite surprising that we don’t hear more about Vitamin K₂. We need to give vitamin K2 a little respect. One scientific paper said this: “…vitamin K₂ deficiency…is a factor in several chronic diseases like diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases. This deficiency is very common in the mentioned diseases although it is rarely treated by clinicians.” Other experts note the crucial role of K₂ in dental health, arthritis, kidney calcification and fertility. (Recently excess calcium has been blamed for worsening cardiovascular disease and other problems, but the problems may be just as much due to a lack of vitamin K₂.) I was thrilled to receive this email from one of our listeners.

Martie:

A few years back you interviewed, Dr. Kate, concerning her book on vitamin K2. I bought the book and did some due diligence to locate a reliable K2
source.

At the time [I] was being “treated” for bilateral carotid stenosis [hardening of both arteries in the neck] and was assured by my health care professionals there was no way, other than surgery to remove the plaques.

Two years ago I started the K₂ regimen.  The latest ultrasound examination in January, 2016 showed decreased blood velocity [a good thing] and no stenosis.  Next January I’ll have another Ultrasound examination and if it reveals no stenosis then I will ask why I am being treated for a disease that is no longer manifest.

Thanks to you for the information you provide.  You probably saved my life because they were talking about surgery as the only real cure. And, as I am sure you’re aware, carotid surgery is very dangerous.

Dave

There has been a lot of positive research on this topic, but one recent study of supplementation of K₂ failed to show significant improvement in cardiovascular health. However, the six-month trial may not have been long enough and the abstract did not say what dose was used. Studies of bone chemistry typically recommend at least 100 milligrams a day. Vitamin K₂ is only found in animal foods. We get another type, vitamin K₁, from green leafy vegetables and broccoli. If…IF we get plenty of that and all our body systems are working up to snuff, we can convert some of that to the K₂ form. The best type of K₂ to supplement is MK-7 such as in this product from Jarrow.

Resources:

• Naturopathic physician Kate Rhéaume-Bleue’s book Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox: How a Little Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life.
• One of my radio interviews with Dr, Kate.
• A simple and fun video explanation from which I snagged the graphic for today’s blog.