The Unique Benefits of Using Vitamin D and K2 Combined

Summary

This presentation delves into the 'Calcium Paradox,' explaining the simultaneous occurrence of bone loss and vascular calcification in postmenopausal women. It highlights the importance of Vitamin D3 for calcium absorption and Vitamin K2's role in directing calcium to bones and teeth, while preventing arterial calcification. The French Paradox is discussed, attributing the low heart disease rates in France to high K2 intake from fatty foods and fermented products. The talk emphasizes the necessity of a balanced intake of D3 and K2 for optimal health, suggesting a ratio of 100 micrograms of K2 for every 10,000 IU of D3.

Takeaways

• 🧠 The 'Calcium Paradox' refers to the occurrence of bone loss alongside vascular calcification, which seems contradictory but can be explained by the roles of vitamins D3 and K2.
• 🇫🇷 The 'French Paradox' is the phenomenon where the French consume high amounts of saturated fats yet have lower rates of heart disease, possibly due to dietary sources of vitamin K2.
• ☀️ Vitamin D3 enhances calcium absorption in the intestines by 20 times, which can lead to higher calcium levels in the blood.
• 🚫 Hypercalcemia, or high calcium levels in the blood, is a concern with vitamin D3, but its effects are inconsistent and can be mitigated by vitamin K2.
• 🦴 Vitamin K2 (not K1) acts as a calcium transporter, directing calcium into bones and teeth, making them strong and preventing pathological calcification in other tissues.
• 🛡️ Vitamin K2 activates Matrix GLA protein, which removes calcium from soft tissues like arteries, preventing unwanted calcification.
• 🧀 Sources of vitamin K2 include animal fats, fermented foods like French cheese, and other items rich in this vitamin, which are often avoided mistakenly.
• 💔 Heart attacks are the leading cause of death, and understanding the role of vitamin K2 in preventing arterial calcification is crucial.
• 🚫 Many people are deficient in K2 due to dietary habits that exclude natural sources of this vitamin, such as grass-fed butter, ghee, and certain types of cheese.
• 📚 Weston Price's book 'Nutrition and Physical Degeneration' highlights the importance of traditional diets rich in fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin K2, for better dental and jaw health.
• 💊 For supplementation, the MK7 version of vitamin K2 is recommended over MK4 due to its natural origin, longer shelf life, and more bioavailable amounts in supplements.

Q & A

What is the 'Calcium Paradox' mentioned in the script?

The 'Calcium Paradox' refers to the seemingly contradictory situation where postmenopausal women experience bone loss, indicating a need for calcium, while simultaneously having vascular calcification, which suggests an excess of calcium in the arteries.

What is the 'French Paradox' and how might it be related to vitamin K2?

The 'French Paradox' is the observation that despite consuming high levels of saturated fats, the French have lower rates of heart disease. The script suggests that this might be related to the presence of vitamin K2 in their diet, which helps to keep calcium out of the arteries and other soft tissues.

How does vitamin D3 aid in calcium absorption?

Vitamin D3 enhances the absorption of calcium in the intestines by a factor of 20 times, allowing for a significant increase in calcium uptake when it is present in the gut.

What is the role of vitamin K2 in relation to calcium?

Vitamin K2 acts as a calcium transporter, directing calcium from the blood into the bones and teeth. It also activates Matrix GLA protein, which helps remove calcium from soft tissues, preventing pathological calcification.

Why is vitamin K2 important for preventing heart problems?

Vitamin K2 is crucial for preventing heart problems because it helps to keep calcium out of the arteries, reducing the risk of arterial calcification and heart disease.

What are some dietary sources of vitamin K2?

Dietary sources of vitamin K2 include animal fats, hard and soft cheeses, egg yolks (especially from pasture-raised chickens), goose liver, chicken liver, beef liver, hot dogs, and wild-caught salmon.

What is the significance of the book 'Nutrition and Physical Degeneration' by Weston Price in relation to vitamin K2?

Weston Price's book 'Nutrition and Physical Degeneration' studied traditional cultures and noted the presence of 'activator X' (later identified as vitamin K2) in their diets, which contributed to better dental and jaw health compared to modern diets.

How does vitamin K2 help with insulin sensitivity and diabetes risk?

The script suggests that vitamin K2 can help make insulin more sensitive, potentially decreasing an individual's risk for diabetes, although the exact mechanism is not detailed in the transcript.

What are the recommended ratios of vitamin D3 to vitamin K2 supplementation?

For every 10,000 IU of vitamin D3, it is recommended to supplement with 100 micrograms of vitamin K2. This ratio is based on the mk7 version of vitamin K2.

Why might the MK4 version of vitamin K2 be less preferable as a supplement compared to the MK7 version?

The MK4 version of vitamin K2, although natural, is often synthetically produced from tobacco leaves due to the high cost of extraction from animal fats. Additionally, the MK7 version has a longer shelf life and is naturally derived from bacteria, similar to cheese and other fermented products.

What is the recommended daily intake of vitamin K2 according to the script?

The script suggests that the actual daily intake needed might be as high as 4500 micrograms of vitamin K2, which is significantly higher than the maximum allowed amount in some regions like Canada.