Vitamin D – with or without K2?
The decision to take vitamin D with or without vitamin K2 depends on your individual health and dietary factors. Both vitamins play important roles in bone health, but they have different functions and interactions in the body.
**Vitamin D**: This vitamin helps with calcium absorption in the gut and promotes calcium uptake into bones. It also plays a role in the immune system and various other bodily functions.
**Vitamin K2**: Vitamin K2 is involved in regulating calcium in the body, directing it away from soft tissues (like arteries) and towards bones and teeth. This function helps prevent the accumulation of calcium in the wrong places.
Taking vitamin D supplements on their own can increase calcium absorption, which is generally good for bone health. However, it’s essential to ensure that the calcium ends up in your bones and not in soft tissues, which is where vitamin K2 comes in.
Vitamin K2 helps activate proteins that guide calcium into your bones and teeth while preventing it from depositing in your arteries and other soft tissues. This can help reduce the risk of arterial calcification.
If you are taking vitamin D supplements, particularly at higher doses, and you are concerned about calcium distribution or have a history of arterial calcification, adding vitamin K2 to your supplement regimen may be beneficial. It’s important to discuss this with your healthcare provider, who can evaluate your specific health needs and provide guidance on appropriate dosages.
In summary, taking vitamin D with vitamin K2 can be a good choice for some individuals, especially if they have concerns about calcium metabolism and distribution in the body.
It is important to give your clients correct testing before advising on the best way to reach their optimal levels.
