Advertising * | In today's post, I would like to take a closer look at the synergistic effect of two fat-soluble vitamins, namely Vitamin D and Vitamin K.2 enter into – a strong duo in terms of bones, muscles and vascular health.
Vitamin D
For some time now, vitamin D has been on everyone's lips in the press & media. Euphoric reports of success alternate with negative contributions and lead to uncertainty in many people. For a long time, vitamin D was only considered in terms of its functions for bone metabolism. Today, however, we know that vitamin D is also required for smooth functioning in almost all cells and organs. The most important tasks of the so-called sun vitamin include a. controlling calcium intake to strengthen bones and teeth and maintaining normal muscle and immune system functions.
How does my body absorb vitamin D?
Numerous studies have shown that a vitamin D deficiency is widespread in Europe. According to data from the Robert Koch Institute, up to 90% of Germans in Germany are not adequately supplied with vitamin D. How can this deficiency be explained? In our latitudes, the body can only produce vitamin D from sunlight in the months from April to September. In the cold season, the UV radiation and UV index are so low that it is no longer possible for the body to form naturally.
How do I recognize vitamin D deficiency?
A vitamin D deficiency can arise from several causes. On the one hand, we spend less and less time outdoors and therefore also in the sun. The mother substance cholecalciferol is only storable for 12 to 24 hours and the storage form only for 2 to 3 weeks. The ability to meet vitamin D needs through food such as Covering cold water fish, eggs or milk is unrealistic. The use of sun creams with SPF> 30 also blocks the body's synthesis up to 99.5%. For these reasons it is advisable to use vitamin D supplements to rebuild the falling vitamin D level. In the long term, the vitamin D deficiency can have serious consequences for the organism, so it is particularly important to identify a deficiency at an early stage. Laboratory diagnostics can be used to determine whether a vitamin D deficiency is present and whether vitamin D supplements are necessary of 25 (OH) D be checked in the serum. In autumn and winter in our latitudes a daily intake of 40 to 60 IU Vitamin D per body weight per day is recommended. The actually recommended intake is of course based on the available laboratory results.
Bone strength decreases with age
Our bones are in a constant process of building and dismantling, so that the human skeleton is completely renewed every seven to ten years. This process is regulated via the osteoblasts (bone-building cells) and osteoclasts (bone-building cells), which is influenced by the cycle, especially in women, through the interplay of estrogen and progesterone. The interlocking of these hormones thus enables a balanced balance between bone growth and breakdown. Normal, dense bones can be maintained as long as the osteoblasts build up more bones than the osteoclasts break down. Perimenopause begins in many women from around the age of 35, a slow and gradual aging process of the sex hormone-producing glands in the ovaries. For this reason, even a slight estrogen deficiency leads to an imbalance between the sex hormones and thus to a greater activity of the osteoclasts, so that the body loses about 1 to 1.5% of bone substance per year. However, regardless of age or in addition to age-related bone loss, a condition can occur in which more bone tissue is broken down than is newly formed. This can be related to deficient vitamin K2 Stand supply.
Vitamin K.
Like vitamin D, vitamin K is one of the fat-soluble vitamins. It regulates blood clotting and is important for calcium incorporation in bones and teeth. Many studies indicate that vitamin K in the prevention of bones and vascular diseases such as Osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis is becoming increasingly important. In addition, vitamin K supports healthy sugar metabolism in patients with diabetes melitus, protects against free radicals and inflammation and plays a role in the prevention and therapy of cancer.
Natural occurrence of vitamin K.
Vitamin K occurs in two forms in nature: as vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) and K2 (Menaquinone). Vitamin K.1 is a functional part of the photosynthesis process of plants and algae and is mainly found in their leaf green. It occurs mainly in green leafy vegetables such as kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and spinach and makes up about 90% of the vitamin K consumed through food. Through fermentation, vitamin K1 in the intestine in the more valuable vitamin K for us2 converted. This process happens with an intact intestinal flora by certain intestinal bacteria. In addition, menaquinones are already found in bacterially fermented foods such as yogurt or some cheeses.
Protection factor against osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis
Vitamin K.2 plays an important role in bone metabolism. The fat-soluble vitamin activates the so-called GLA proteins (gamma-carboxylglutamic acid), which in turn bind calcium to itself (carboxylation) and can then actively control it. With this control, calcium can be transported into the bone tissue and bound there. In addition, vitamin K promotes2 mineralization of the bone matrix by stimulating the osteoblasts. Is not a vitamin K.2 is present, the necessary gamma carboxylation does not occur and consequently it can lead to serious health problems. On the one hand, the mineral density in the bones decreases because calcium cannot be bound in the bone tissue. This leads to a reduced bone density and the bones become increasingly porous and brittle – this is called osteoporosis. On the other hand, a lack of K2 the calcium is increasingly stored in the arterial walls.
How do I recognize vitamin K deficiency?
The estimates for the daily intake of vitamin K by the German Nutrition Society are as follows: for adolescents and adults from 15 to 51 years 70 μg (Men) or 60 μg (Women.) The requirement increases again from the age of 52 80 μg, The values listed are only estimates. The intake recommendations for vitamin K mainly refer to vitamin K.1, The daily need for vitamin K.1 can be covered without problems by the plentiful consumption of green leafy vegetables. However, it is believed that many people experience a chronic lack of vitamin K2 are affected. The problem is that there is a vitamin K2 Deficiency only becomes noticeable after years of manifested lifestyle diseases such as osteoporosis or arteriosclerosis. The laboratory parameter ‘Under carboxylated osteocalcin‘Can be a possible indication of a lack of vitamin K.2 his.
Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 – a strong duo
The vitamin K.2 ensures that the calcium absorbed with the help of vitamin D is built into the bones. If the body does not have enough vitamin K2 calcium is not stored in the bones. What happens instead? Calcium can be deposited in the blood vessels and organs (such as the kidneys), which are damaged as a result. Added to this is the fact that calcium is no longer available in sufficient quantities for bone formation to maintain normal bones.
Debora® plus K2
For the reasons listed above for healthy bones, blood clotting and intact vascular health, it is recommended to take a daily nutritional supplement that contains vitamins D3 and K2 contains. Debora® plus K2 is a sensible combination of vitamin D.3 and vitamin K2, The vitamin K used in it2 in the form of menaquinone (= MK-7) is due to its lipophilic and tissue-permeable structure compared to other K2-Shapes better absorbed by the body and is also active there longer.
Since vitamin D and vitamin K are fat-soluble vitamins, they need vegetable oils as a transport medium in order to be able to absorb them particularly well in the intestine. That is why the gluten, fructose, yeast and lactose-free capsules from Debora contain® plus K2 vitamins D3 or K2 dissolved in natural linseed and sunflower oil.
Debora® plus K2 you can buy over the counter in all pharmacies or here buy online.
Another important note for people who are taking anticoagulants or have a blood clotting disorder. You should consult your doctor before taking this product, as taking vitamin K2 the anticoagulant effect of vitamin K antagonists such as Marcumar® or Falithrom® could decrease.
Conclusion
As can be seen from the reasons listed above, our bones are in a constant process of remodeling, with the mechanisms of assembly and disassembly naturally slowing down as we age. However, it is almost never too late to take measures to protect the skeletal system. It is therefore all the more important to start prevention and pay attention to bone health, especially at a young age. A balanced low-acid diet with lots of green vegetables and little meat, regular exercise and supplementation with good vitamin D and vitamin K.2 Combined preparations can counteract this process. And should the diagnosis be made: "osteopenia" (beginning of fragility) or "osteoporosis", there is a wide variety of treatment options.
* Developed in friendly collaboration with Köhler Pharma
