Vitamin K-2 100mcg (100 Veggie Caps)
- Supports Bone Health
- Most Biologically Active Form
- Supports a Healthy Cardiovascular System
- With 300 mg of Alfalfa
- Vegetarian Formula
Although Vitamin K is best known for its role in normal blood clotting function, recent research has revealed Vitamin K's beneficial effects on bone and cardiovascular health. In bone tissue, Vitamin K is critical for the formation of healthy, strong bone matrix. In fact, bone quality is dependent on the presence of adequate Vitamin K. Vitamin K's role in arterial health revolves around its ability to support proper calcium metabolism in vascular structures.
Vitamin K2 is the most biologically active form of vitamin K. It is also the most beneficial for bone integrity, as well as for the support of arterial health. This product also includes the addition of Alfalfa which is typically known to be a rich source of natural Vitamin K.
Vitamin K protects the body against the following:
Excessive Bleeding
Vitamin K is used to reduce the risk of bleeding in liver disease, malabsorption syndromes as described earlier, or in association with long-term use of antibiotics. Vitamin K has been used in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding. Use of vitamin K for liver disease, although often attempted, is not generally successful. This is particularly true in the late stages of the disease, because at that point the liver is unable to make the blood clotting factors, no matter how much vitamin K is present.
In the US, Canada, Great Britain, and many other countries, all newborns receive vitamin K injections to prevent the possibility of hemorrhage (particularly in the brain) just after delivery. Newborns are at risk for bleeding in the brain because of the trauma of coming through the birth canal during delivery. Vitamin K is not readily transferred from mother to child during pregnancy. Therefore, even though vitamin K deficiency in the newborn is very rare, it is considered sufficiently dangerous to warrant these measures. Newborns at greatest risk for vitamin K deficiency are those who are born prematurely or whose mother had to take seizure medications during the pregnancy. Mothers on seizure medications are often given oral vitamin K for 2 weeks prior to delivery.
Osteoporosis
Vitamin K is needed for proper use of calcium in bones. Higher vitamin K levels correspond to greater bone density, while low levels of vitamin K have been found in those with osteoporosis. There is increasing evidence that vitamin K supplements improve bone health and reduce risk of bone fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women who are at risk for osteoporosis. In addition, studies of other groups (such as male and female athletes) have also shown bone enhancing benefits from vitamin K supplements.
Snake Bite
Some snake venoms work by destroying vitamin K, and thus the body's ability to clot blood clot. Vitamin K may be injected to stop the bleeding from snakebite.
Cystic Fibrosis
Because of involvement of the pancreas (responsible for making enzymes that help fat absorption) and often the liver with this condition, vitamin K deficiency is common in people with cystic fibrosis. Therefore, supplementation is frequently recommended. Vitamin K deficiency in those with cystic fibrosis is worsened by their recurrent need for antibiotics.
Kidney Stones
Vitamin K may help to prevent the formation of kidney stones. (It is interesting to note that vegetarians, who tend to have a high vitamin K intake, rarely have kidney stones.)
Body Odor
Chlorophyll (a water-soluble source of vitamin K in plant foods) helps control body, fecal, and urinary odor.
Skin Wounds
Water-soluble forms may be used topically to treat skin wounds. This may be due to the antioxidant effect of chlorophyll.
In addition, early test tube studies suggest that vitamin K3 (a synthetic form of vitamin K) may inhibit the growth of certain cancerous bone marrow cells, specifically, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells. CML is one type of leukemia that is classified as a myeloproliferative disorder. Some researchers are concerned, however, that this form of vitamin K may cause serious anemia in people. More research is needed to assess if this synthetic form of vitamin K is safe and useful for people with CML.
