You Need Vitamin K2 to Prevent Arterial Plaque & Heart Disease

Accumulating evidence suggests that atherosclerotic calcification shares features with bone calcification. Vascular calcification, or harding of the arteries, is common and clinically significant in atherosclerosis (Coronary artery disease) and heart failure. It was long believed to be an end stage process of "passive" mineral precipitation. However, there is now a growing awareness that vascular calcification is a biologically regulated phenomenon.

In addition to being involved in the formation of osteocalcin, vitamin K2 is known to be involved in the formation of matrix Gla-protein (MGP). Osteocalcin is a protein produced by the osteoblasts, and is utilized within the bone as an integral part of the process of its formation. However, osteocalcin must be carboxylated before it can be effective in bone formation. Vitamin K2 functions as a cofactor for the enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation of osteocalcin.

MGP is synthesized in a vitamin K2-dependent way in smooth muscles cells of the healthy vessel wall.

A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF THE PREVIOUS THREE PARAGRAPHS. WHEN YOU HAVE A PROPER LEVEL OF VITAMIN K2 IN YOUR BODY, EITHER FROM YOUR DIET OR SUPPLEMENTS, THE VITAMIN K2 TAKES THE CALCIUM WHICH NORMALLY WOULD BE DEPOSITED IN THE ARTERIES, CARTILAGE AND SOFT TISSUES, AND DEPOSITS IT IN THE BONES WHERE IT BUILDS STRONG BONES. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT YOU HAVE MUCH LESS HEART DISEASE, PAIN IN THE JOINTS AND MUCH STRONGER BONES.

You can get vitamin K2 from your diet or supplements. The best foods are dark leafy vegetables, cheese, eggs and fermented foods such as the Japanese food Natto. A good policy is to also take vitamin K2 pills, which are a little expensive, but are a very good source of vitamin K2.