Vitamin K2

introduction

Vitamin K is one of the many vital ones Vitamins. It occurs naturally in two different forms - as K1 and K2. While vitamin K1 is found in all green plants, Vitamin K2 is produced by bacteria. Also the Bacteria in our intestinal flora can partially form the vitamin and thus supply the body. One more reason to maintain a healthy intestinal flora. To a certain extent, the slightly less active vitamin K1 can be converted into the K2 form.

Vitamin K has important functions in the human body. As a prerequisite for the formation of certain coagulation factors, it plays an important role in blood clotting. Vitamin K is also an influencing factor in the calcium balance: it promotes bone formation and prevents excessive calcification of blood vessels. Thromboses, heart attacks and strokes occur less often. A protective effect in cancer development has already been established.

A healthy diet with the conscious consumption of foods containing vitamin K protects health in many ways and can be made easier with many small tips. If the diet is insufficient or if the food cannot be consumed in sufficient quantities for health reasons, dietary supplements can be used.

You can read more about this topic at: Vitamin K - a useful dietary supplement?

dosage

The daily need for Vitamin K or K2 is different for men and women. Of the male Requirement is included 80 µg (Micrograms) while Women just 65 µg need. Of the Reference range - the range in which the vitamin K value in one Blood test should lie - is with 0.15 to 1.5 µg per liter of blood not only very variable, but also strongly dependent on the last food intake.
Since newborn children initially have insufficient vitamin K stores, everyone receives Babies at their first three Routine checkups (U1-3) Vitamin K administered. This is done by mouth with a dosage of 2 mg per examination.

For Adults Different dosages apply if vitamin K is also to be taken in drop or pill form. The exact amount should always be discussed with the attending (family) doctor. However, there are certain guidelines that are generally followed. Patient who already blood-thinning drugs should only take 45 µg Vitamin K2 a day to take in. Healthy peoplewho have not yet reached the age of 50 and no more than 2500 units per day Vitamin D can take the dosage up to 100 µg increase. Has a family history existed for Vascular disease or Bone loss (osteoporosis), or if the patient is already suffering from the initial stage of the diseases mentioned, the dose can be increased again 200 µg to be doubled. An overdose is not possible in adults, but it is possible in newborns - it can Jaundice come.

In which foods does K2 occur?

Basically is Vitamin K1 in all green plants and contain most of the fruits of such plants. So contain most green vegetables Vitamin K1 and can be used to build up reserves if consumed consciously. The front runner of foods containing vitamin K is Kale. Only 100 g of these vegetables contain over 800 µg of vitamin K, which corresponds to 10 times the daily requirement. After a large gap, kale is behind with almost 400 µg of vitamin K1 per 100 g chives. However, this is not particularly important, as it is rarely eaten in large quantities.

Other herbs that freshen up the vitamin K balance are Watercress and fennel, both at about 250 µg per 100 g. spinach, Chickpeas, Brussels sprouts and Soy products rank with 200 to 300 µg per 100 g in the middle of the vitamin K donors. broccoli educates with Wheat germ and lenses brings up the rear of the foods that contain a significant amount of vitamin K1. They only add up to 150 µg per 100 g. It is a folk mistake that sauerkraut contains a lot of vitamin K. This false assumption was once made through a measurement error, although the dish does not even contain 10 µg of vitamin K per 100 g. Can be used to prepare the food Grapeseed oil, Rapeseed oil or Soybean oil which also all contain vitamin K.

osteoporosis

Of the Bone building is influenced by various factors. This mainly counts calcium and Vitamin D. But vitamin K is also essential for a healthy one bone. While calcium is the basic material for the structure and vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium, vitamin K does its work directly on the bones. Its function is Provision of calcium from the blood and the Activation of a proteinwhich for the Building process absolutely needed - the so-called Osteocalcin. This protein can only bind the raw material calcium in cooperation with vitamin K in order to then be able to incorporate it into the bone tissue and give the structure support.

It has been proven through various studies that vitamin K2, but also vitamin K1 a relevant benefit for the Bone building represents. The bone density is vital by the vitamin positively influenced and is reduced with corresponding deficiency states. A decrease in bone density goes with an increased risk for Broken bones hand in hand, especially with regard to older people and women who are already in the Post menopause, the time after the Menopause, are located.

The lack of the feminine hormone estrogenthat occurs after menopause can cause it to osteoporosis that come with an appropriate Vitamin K Therapy can be alleviated. This effect has also been proven with the help of a scientific study: the increased absorption of vitamin K2 causes the Standstill of the disease process and in some patients the Reconstruction of the bone structures. Taking vitamin D supplements alone, which are generally regarded as a remedy for osteoporosis, cannot develop its effect without sufficient intake of vitamin K. A balanced and healthy diet is important for health.

arteriosclerosis

arteriosclerosis is created by a unhealthy diet and high blood pressure, States generally with Obesity and Sedentary lifestyle are associated. These risk factors lead to a Damage to the vessels, with the smallest cracks in the vessel walls. Through the Malnutrition the body lacks the raw materials to repair the damage in a natural way, which is why the gaps with "bad" cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) are filled. This substance attracts calcium from the blood and one forms calcification (Sclerotherapy) of the Arteries - an arteriosclerosis. This as Plaque Calcifications called calcifications can detach themselves from the walls and cause enormous damage in various organs. So can a Heart attack, one Pulmonary embolism or a stroke can be triggered and lead to death.

Through the role of vitamin K in the incorporation of calcium into the bone A vitamin deficiency leads to an increased concentration of calcium in the blood. The patient then tends to increase Vascular calcifications and the associated complications. vitamin K2 prevented (or at least delays) demonstrably Formation of plaques or the Development of arteriosclerosis. With a good one nutrition with enough vitamin K, the percentage of people who take Cardiovascular diseases die by half. Due to the effect of vitamin K on the calcium level, even existing calcifications can be regressed, which justifies the therapeutic use in dangerously advancing arteriosclerosis.