You probably know vitamin D, "the sun vitamin". But do you know vitamin K?
Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium from the intestine. Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is responsible for the storage and utilization of calcium in the body and at the same time ensures the removal of unwanted calcium from the arteries.
What is vitamin K?
The role of vitamin K in our health, especially vitamin K2, has only recently begun to receive attention.
Vitamin K cannot be produced by the body. Humans are therefore largely dependent on dietary intake. However, there is clear evidence that the European population is not consuming enough vitamin K due to their diet. The two most important types of vitamin K are K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). These differ to a certain extent in terms of their site and duration of action.
Vitamin K1 is found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, cabbage and broccoli. However, very little vitamin K1 is absorbed by the body. Only about 10% of the total amount enters the bloodstream. In addition, the liver already processes most of the K1 for blood clotting, leaving even less for all other tissues. This explains why vitamin K1 has little or no effect on the heart and bones.
Vitamin K2, on the other hand, has an exceptionally high availability and is optimally absorbed by the body. This is why vitamin K2 is the most effective form of vitamin K. It is mainly found in animal foods such as meat, offal, butter, egg yolks and certain types of cheese. However, these foods contain very little K2 and should therefore be consumed in large quantities. Vitamin K2 can also be partially produced in a healthy gut by certain bacteria.
K2 is a top nutrient with surprising talents
Vitamin K2 is involved in the job of making proteins that keep our blood flowing through our arteries like water in a mountain stream. This nutrient also actively promotes the protein build-up of the blood plasma, the kidneys and, above all, our bones.
MK-7 refers to the length of the side chain or the number of isoprenoid units. There are variants of vitamin K2 up to MK-13. It is known that the length of the side chain determines the effectiveness of vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 with a total of 7 isoprenoid units in the form of MK-7 is by far the most effective form. Of these, only the all-trans form is biologically active; the other inactive forms are known as cis-isomers, which are biologically inactive and have no effect.
Unique, twice encapsulated - microencapsulation to protect vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 as MK-7 is a fat-soluble vitamin and reacts sensitively to contact with other components, such as alkaline calcium. Studies of calcium supplements with K2 have shown that the alkaline properties of calcium have a reducing effect on vitamin K2. After just 3 months, the vitamin K2 content in such mixtures can be 50% lower. For the stability of vitamin K, therefore, a single encapsulation does not appear to be sufficient and microencapsulation is recommended, as this protects it from foreign contact and gastric acid, so that it is not damaged and its potency is not reduced.
Vitamin D and vitamin K2 - mono-preparations for flexible use
As vitamin D and vitamin K2 both play an important role in the calcium balance, some claim that the two fat-soluble vitamins should be taken together. Others consider a trio of vitamin D, vitamin K2 and calcium or even a quartet with additional magnesium to be ideal. Of course, it makes sense for the body to have sufficient amounts of all micronutrients, as deficiencies impair health.
The question arises as to whether the combination of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 in one product is necessary or beneficial. A simultaneous intake is just as possible as a separate intake. The only important thing is the regular intake of both vitamins to cover requirements, because if they are supplemented in sufficient quantities or taken with food, they fulfill their biochemical tasks, regardless of whether they are taken together, separately or in various combinations. The only important thing is that both fat-soluble vitamins are taken with a meal so that the body's fat digestion is active and the vitamins are packaged together with bile salts in attractive micelles and transported to the intestinal cells where they are then absorbed. For practical reasons, the two vitamins can of course also be taken with the same meal.
In addition to vitamin D3 and vitamin K2, calcium and magnesium play a role in bone health. It generally makes sense to ensure that your intake of calcium and magnesium meets your needs. However, it is not necessary to take a combined preparation of these, nor do they have to be taken at the same time.
HerbaCal - The first biologically renewable and purely plant-based calcium
EnergyBalance® HerbaCal is a natural, biologically renewable, wholesome seaweed complex with over 50 naturally contained minerals and trace elements. HerbaCal is in a bioavailable natural form. The combination with natural vitamins and antioxidants makes it a number 1 product. The natural form supports good absorption in the body. HerbaCal is a complex of valuable magnesium, vitamin C, D and K2 from natural plant sources, and is therefore also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Innovative microencapsulation was also deliberately chosen for this food supplement for the sensitive K2.