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5 Reasons Why You Should Get More Vitamin K
Vitamin K is sometimes referred to as the “forgotten vitamin” because it is often overshadowed by better known nutrients like vitamin D. Even though it does not receive the same amount of attention that vitamin D does, vitamin K plays an important role in your health.
Vitamin K is the term that encompasses a group of three fat soluble vitamins: vitamin K1 or phylloquinone, which naturally occurs in plants; vitamin K2 or menaquinone, which is produced by bacteria found in your gastrointestinal tract; and, vitamin K3 or menadione, a synthetic form of vitamin K.
Natto, a traditional Japanese food produced by fermenting soybeans, is the best natural source of vitamin K2. On the other hand, vitamin K1 is found in vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collard and salad greens, green beans, and spinach.
Dr. Joseph Mercola believes vitamin K is one of the few supplements you should seriously consider taking because only one in four Americans are getting the recommended daily levels of this nutrient. Dr. Mercola suggests at least 100 mcg of vitamin K2 daily and gives five main reasons why you should get more vitamin K:
- Boost your Immune System – Vitamin K may have antioxidant properties more potent than coenzyme Q10 or vitamin E.
- Blood clotting – Vitamin K is important in the process of blood clotting. It is so-named because coagulation comes from the German word “koagulation.”
- Fight Cancer – Studies have found vitamin K to be beneficial in the fight against hepatocellular carcinoma (a type of liver cancer), lung cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and prostate cancer.
- Prevention of Arterial Plaque and Heart Disease – Vitamin K helps lower your risk of heart disease and heart failure as it prevents your arteries from hardening. Studies show that it can also help prevent damage in your arteries by keeping calcium out of your artery lining.
- Strong Bones – Vitamin K2 increases the production of osteocalcin, a vitamin K-dependent protein which your bone tissues need to use calcium.
Dr. Mercola warns, however, that taking vitamin K while on anticoagulation drugs may cause adverse side effects. Patients on blood-thinning medications and those who have had a stroke or cardiac arrest, and are prone to blood clots should not take vitamin K without first consulting their physician.
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Tags: antioxidants, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Vitamin D, vitamin K, vitamin K2
