Vitamin K

There’s more than just one kind of vitamin K!

Vitamin K refers to a group of fat-soluble vitamins that helps maintain healthy bone density, encourage arterial health and support overall heart health. Each kind of vitamin K helps support our health in different ways.

Vitamin K benefits

Studies have shown that vitamin K can help:

Strengthen bones and reduce fracture risk
Lower risk of developing diabetes
Promote brain health
Reduce inflammation

Vitamin K foods

Vitiman K1 is present in leafy green vegetables. Vitamin K2 is present in the form of MK-4 ( menaquinone-4). It is found mainly in dairy foods like butter, milk, and cheese, and can also be formed by conversion of dietary vitamin K1 (phylloquinone).

MK-7 is primarily present in fermented foods, such as some cheeses, kefir (fermented milk), sauerkraut, and natto (fermented soy). MK-7 (menaquinone-7) can also be produced by bacteria in the intestinal tract.

Vitamin K2 can strengthen bone quality, and this may reduce the risk of fractures and hospitalizations. Vitamin K2 also been shown to protect against cardiovascular disease. It activates matrix Gla protein, which is a vitamin K-dependent protein that helps inhibit calcium from entering soft tissues like arterial walls and forming calcified plaques. In turn, this improves overall heart health.