Taking supplement everyday can really make a difference in one’s overall health. Having a pill each day of a supplement that is extracted from vegetables and plants containing all the minerals that you fail to have in your daily diet does wonder. We need supplement because every day we are exposed to environmental toxins and free radicals. When our body gets too tired, it is prone to cell damage. However, choosing the right supplement that caters to the needs of our body could be tricky.
Yes, there are several kinds of supplements readily available for you to choose from. One supplement that is worthy of praise and attention is the K2 D3 supplement. Like any other supplements in the market today, K2 D3 supplement promises a healing power encased in a pill. The ensemble of supplement sealed in a bottle and processed and produced under the magnetic eyes of medical people, serves as a clinical shield to abate pain and other sufferings that might be encountered in time when the weather is not good or whenever the body feels exhausted for the day’s work. The supplement that is featured in this article is K2 D3 supplement.
The term “vitamin” is derived from the Latin words vita (life) and anima (soul) (1). The vitamins are those molecules needed by our body to function properly and intelligently. Such molecules are used in tiny amounts, as they are not able to be synthesized from anywhere else in our system. They need to be absorbed from the consumption of a healthy diet over time. Now, let us all look at Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 as separate entities.
Vitamin K2 D3: A look on its potentials
Vitamin D3 is a liposoluble molecule, which means that it can be stored in different types of fats in the body. Vitamin D3 or “colecalciferol” is potent than ergocalciferol, another Vitamin D. However, consuming colecalciferol alone can be dangerous. Vitamin D3 is absorbed from the foods we eat, or from exposure to sunlight, into the bloodstream. There Vitamin D3 is metabolized by the liver and kidneys into its active form (calcitriol), and is then ready to be used by the body (2).
It is said that Vitamin D performs different important functions. These functions include increasing the absorption of calcium in the intestines, controlling the levels of phosphorus and calcium in the kidneys, maintaining bones and healing breaks, strengthening teeth, replacing deteriorated bone tissue, facilitating muscular contractions, reducing high blood pressure, controlling inflammation, strengthening immune system, slowing deterioration of neural tissues, regulating emotional fluctuations, regulating the production of hormones (estrogen and testosterone) and controlling appetite (3).
On the other hand, Vitamin K, like Vitamin D, is a liposoluble nutrient which can be absorbed more easily when consumed along with certain types of fats. In 1935, Dr. Henrik Dam from Denmark discovered that this molecule was vital to blood coagulation and named it “Vitamin K” in accordance the German word “koagulation” (4). Vitamin K2 or “menaquinone” is known to lower calcium deposits in our blood vessels and to improve vascular health.
It is a molecule which aids in the process of healthy blood coagulation (5). It also regulates our metabolism and is an antioxidant which protects against dementia and even various types of cancer (specifically colon and breast cancer). Vitamin K2 has several characteristics which are found exclusively in this substance (6). Vitamin K2 performs significant functions in the body including mineralization of bones, prevention of arterial calcification, prevention of calcification in the heart, strengthening of tooth enamel, exhibiting cutaneous cellular antioxidant, and regulating hormone production (7).
Vitamin K2 D3: A powerful duo
It is very evident that both vitamins promise remarkable health benefits in the body. However, as Vitamin D3 helps with the absorption of calcium and the mineralization of bones and teeth, some experts fear that very high levels of Vitamin D and calcium could result in the deposit of this mineral in places where it can be detrimental to your health. Vitamin 2 comes in and controls where that calcium ends up so it would not endanger some organs of our body (8).
Over-supplementation of vitamin D3 without ample vitamin K2, leads to problems of excess calcium and if calcium does not proceed to its right destination, it will reroute itself to other tissues, like your arteries, in the walls of blood vessels or in the kidneys (9). When calcium stays in the arteries, it is dangerous because it contributes to atherosclerosis and vessel stiffness that leads to cardiovascular disease that may cause death (10). This is why that if you are supplementing with Vitamin D3, you surely should partner it with an ample amount of Vitamin K2. Because of this mechanism, many nutrition experts consider these vitamins as synergistic because they are capable of working together to increase the potency of the beneficial effects they provide (11).
Vitamin K2 permits Vitamin D3 to perform well, but at the same time, prevents the adverse side effects associated with Vitamin D3 supplements containing heavy doses (12). K2 and D3’s synergistic effect helps achieve maximum outcome when taken together. So, using vitamins K2 and D3, enough amount of calcium comes into the blood and is properly directed, helping us to have firm bones and vital joints (13).
In addition, Vitamins D3 and K2 are both fat-soluble vitamins playing a central role in calcium metabolism. Vitamin D promotes the production of vitamin K-dependent proteins, which require vitamin K for carboxylation in order to function properly. Additionally, there is evidence of the synergistic interplay between vitamins D3 and K2 on bone and cardiovascular health (14).
Animal and human studies also suggest that optimal concentrations of both vitamin D and vitamin K are beneficial for bone and cardiovascular health as supported by genetic, molecular, cellular, and human studies (15). Most clinical trials studied vitamin D and K supplementation with bone health in postmenopausal women and few intervention trials studied vitamin D and K supplementation with cardiovascular-related outcomes and indicate that joint supplementation might be beneficial for cardiovascular health (16). Current evidence supports the notion that joint supplementation of vitamins D and K might be more effective than the consumption of either alone for bone and cardiovascular health.
Vitamins K2 D3 Side Effects
Surely, these powerful duo work together to better maximize its individual potential in one bottle. However, there are warning signs to be aware of when taking this supplement. The combination of Vitamin D3 and K2 can cause some unfavorable side effects, both minor and major effects. Some minor adverse side effects can occur when you begin taking these supplements include flatulence, abdominal pain and swelling of the belly (17). Nausea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain are also considered rare side effects of this supplement (18). It is important, hence, to immediately cease taking the supplement and consult your doctor right away. It is also advised to talk to your healthcare practitioner before taking the supplement.
