Why Vitamin K2 is So Important and How to Get It Naturally

Summary

Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum emphasizes the critical role of Vitamin K2, specifically MK4, in preventing diseases like osteoporosis, cancer, and diabetes. She discusses its discovery by Dr. Weston A. Price, who found it in natural, unprocessed foods, particularly in the butterfat of grass-fed cows. The video highlights the importance of dietary fats for health, the benefits of ghee, and the pitfalls of avoiding cholesterol, advocating for nutrient-dense whole foods over synthetic supplements.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Vitamin K2, specifically MK4, is crucial for health and is often deficient in modern diets.
• 👨‍⚕️ Dr. Weston A. Price discovered the importance of 'Activator X', now known as Vitamin K2, in the 1930s through his global health research.
• 🌱 Activator X was found in high concentrations in the butter fat of milk from cows eating grasses, especially in spring, and in animal organs and fats.
• 🍼 Breast milk contains Vitamin K2, which is vital for infant growth, development, fertility, and reproduction.
• 🍞 Modern diets lacking in natural fats have led to increased health issues such as osteoporosis, dental problems, and heart disease.
• 🚫 The shift towards low-fat diets and the use of refined vegetable oils have negatively impacted health on a global scale.
• 🧠 Ghee, especially from grass-fed cows, is a concentrated source of MK4 and is beneficial for brain health and cognitive function.
• 🦴 Vitamin K2 directs calcium to teeth and bones, reducing the risk of conditions like osteoporosis and arterial calcification.
• 🌿 Ancient wisdom and modern research both highlight the importance of natural, nutrient-dense foods for optimal health.
• 💊 Statin and blood thinner medications can create a deficiency in Vitamin K2 by lowering necessary cholesterol levels.
• 🌱 The preference for plant-based milks over full-fat cow's milk contributes to the widespread deficiency of Vitamin K2 in the population.

Q & A

Who is Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum and what is the main topic of her discussion?

Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum is a speaker in the transcript, and the main topic of her discussion is Vitamin K2, its importance for health, and how it can help prevent various diseases.

What is the significance of the information presented by Dr. Teitelbaum in the video?

The information is significant because it highlights the importance of Vitamin K2 for preventing health problems such as osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, and emphasizes the need to understand and incorporate this nutrient into our diets.

Who were the 'enlightened rishis of India' mentioned by Dr. Teitelbaum and what did they know?

The 'enlightened rishis of India' refers to the ancient sages who understood Ayurveda, an ancient system of medicine. They were aware of the importance of certain nutrients, including what Dr. Weston A. Price later called 'Activator X' or Vitamin K2.

What is the historical context of Dr. Weston A. Price's research mentioned in the script?

Dr. Weston A. Price was a prominent health researcher and dentist in the 1930s who spent 10 years traveling the world to study the diets and health of various populations, ultimately discovering the importance of 'Activator X' or Vitamin K2.

What did Dr. Price observe about the health of people consuming their indigenous foods compared to those consuming modern processed foods?

Dr. Price observed that people consuming their indigenous foods had strong bones, perfect dental arches, minimal tooth decay, and overall excellent health, whereas those consuming modern processed foods experienced poorer health.

What is 'Activator X' and how was it initially misunderstood to be Vitamin D?

'Activator X' is the term Dr. Price initially used for a new fat-soluble vitamin he discovered, which he later realized was not Vitamin D. It was later identified as Vitamin K2.

What are the different types of Vitamin K2 and what makes MK-4 unique?

Vitamin K2 has different types of side chains, represented as MK-4 to MK-13. MK-4 is unique because it is not a byproduct of bacterial synthesis but comes directly from animal sources and is the form Dr. Price identified as 'Activator X'.

Why is Vitamin K2, specifically MK-4, important for infant growth and development?

MK-4 is important for infant growth and development because it is found in breast milk and plays a crucial role in the development of the child, including the formation of strong bones and teeth.

What are the health implications of the shift from butter to margarine and the consumption of refined vegetable oils?

The shift to margarine and refined vegetable oils has led to an increase in health issues such as osteoporosis, dental cavities, arthritis, and heart disease, as these oils can oxidize at high temperatures and form substances harmful to health.

How does Vitamin K2 MK-4 help with the proper utilization of calcium in the body?

Vitamin K2 MK-4 directs calcium to the teeth and bones and away from arteries, joints, and other organs, which is crucial for maintaining strong bones and preventing conditions like osteoporosis and arterial calcification.

What is the role of ghee in traditional and modern diets, and why is it considered beneficial?

Ghee, a clarified butter from grass-fed cows, is considered beneficial because it is high in Vitamin K2 MK-4, easy to digest, and has been traditionally used for its health benefits, including supporting brain development and fertility.

Why is it important to consume cholesterol and good fats, especially as we age?

Cholesterol and good fats are important for lubricating joints, maintaining brain function, producing hormones, and supporting skin health. As we age, the body's need for these nutrients increases to prevent conditions like arthritis, dementia, and skin aging.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 The Importance of Vitamin K2 in Health

Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum introduces the crucial role of Vitamin K2 in maintaining health. She emphasizes the significance of understanding this nutrient to prevent diseases like osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The discovery of Vitamin K2, initially called Activator X by Dr. Weston A. Price, is highlighted. Price's extensive research revealed that indigenous diets rich in natural, unprocessed foods contributed to robust health, unlike the processed foods consumed in modern times. Vitamin K2, particularly MK4, is identified in animal fats, milk, butter, and butter oil, playing a vital role in infant growth, fertility, and overall health.

05:01

🥛 The Role of MK4 in Health and Development

This paragraph delves into the specifics of MK4, a form of Vitamin K2, which is unique as it is not a byproduct of bacterial synthesis but comes from animal sources. MK4 is crucial for the growth and nourishment of mammals, found in the umbilical cord blood and placenta, indicating its importance in fetal development. The paragraph also discusses the concentration of MK4 in various dairy products, with ghee being the richest source. Vitamin K2's function in directing calcium to teeth and bones, rather than arteries and other organs, is highlighted. The shift towards low-fat diets and the consumption of refined vegetable oils, leading to health issues, is critiqued. The paragraph concludes with a call to return to traditional, nutrient-dense foods.

10:02

🧪 The Impact of Vitamin K2 on Nutrient Absorption

Dr. Price's discovery of Activator X, now known as Vitamin K2, is further explored in this paragraph. It is described as an activator or catalyst that aids in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients from our diet, including proteins, minerals, and vitamins. The importance of fat-soluble vitamins in nutrient absorption is underscored, with ghee being highlighted as a traditional Ayurvedic medium for delivering nutrients across cell walls. The paragraph also addresses the issue of synthetic Vitamin K2 supplements, particularly MK7, which are contrasted with the naturally occurring MK4 found in food. Research findings that support the superiority of dietary intake over synthetic supplements for nutrient absorption are mentioned.

15:03

🌾 The Decline of Vitamin K2 and Its Health Implications

This paragraph discusses the widespread deficiency of Vitamin K2 MK4 due to modern dietary habits and farming practices. The avoidance of animal fats, factory farming, antibiotic use, and the consumption of processed foods are identified as contributing factors. The paragraph also touches on the impact of statins and blood thinners on Vitamin K2 levels. The importance of consuming high-quality whole milk from grass-fed cows is emphasized, as is the need to maintain cholesterol intake for healthy aging. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the traditional wisdom regarding the consumption of fats, particularly those rich in Vitamin K2, for overall health and well-being.

Keywords

💡Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2, specifically MK-4, is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the body's utilization of calcium, directing it to teeth and bones and away from arteries and other organs. In the video, Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum emphasizes the importance of Vitamin K2 for preventing health issues like osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease. The script mentions that Vitamin K2 is found in animal fats, milk, butter, and butter oil, with the highest concentration in ghee made from grass-fed cow butter.

💡Activator X

Activator X is the term initially used by Dr. Weston A. Price to describe a nutrient he discovered that he believed was missing from modern diets and could explain many modern diseases. It was later identified as Vitamin K2. The video script explains that Activator X was found to be crucial for healing dental cavities and restoring health to malnourished children by incorporating it into their diet.

💡Dr. Weston A. Price

Dr. Weston A. Price was a prominent health researcher and dentist in the 20th century known for his global travels in search of the secrets to perfect health and longevity. His work is central to the video's theme as he identified the importance of indigenous diets and the nutrient later known as Vitamin K2. His book 'Nutrition and Physical Degeneration' is referenced, which compared health statistics and the impact of diet on physical health.

💡Indigenous Foods

Indigenous foods refer to the traditional, native foods of a particular region or culture. In the video, Dr. Teitelbaum discusses how people who consumed their indigenous foods had strong bones, perfect dental arches, and overall excellent health, contrasting with those who consumed modern, processed foods.

💡Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by weak and brittle bones. The video script mentions osteoporosis as one of the health problems that can be linked to a deficiency of Vitamin K2, as this vitamin is essential for directing calcium to the bones.

💡MK-4

MK-4 is a specific form of Vitamin K2 that is unique and not a byproduct of bacterial synthesis, unlike other forms such as MK-7. The script highlights MK-4 as the form of Vitamin K2 that provides important health benefits, being crucial for infant growth and development, fertility, and the prevention of diseases like cancer and diabetes.

💡Ghee

Ghee is a type of clarified butter that is highly concentrated in Vitamin K2 MK-4. The video emphasizes ghee as a superior source of this vitamin, with the highest amounts found in ghee made from grass-fed cow butter. Ghee is also noted for its ease of digestion and its historical significance in traditional diets.

💡Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a substance that the body needs for various functions, including hormone production and as a precursor to Vitamin D. The video script discusses the misconception that cholesterol is bad and how avoiding it can lead to health issues. It also points out that cholesterol is essential for the body's absorption of nutrients.

💡Nutrient-Dense Foods

Nutrient-dense foods are those that provide a high amount of nutrients relative to their calorie content. The video script advocates for the consumption of nutrient-dense whole foods as the foundation of health, contrasting with the modern trend of synthetic supplementation.

💡Synthetic Supplementation

Synthetic supplementation refers to the intake of nutrients in the form of artificial supplements rather than through whole foods. The video script criticizes the reliance on synthetic supplements, arguing that they do not provide the same benefits as nutrients obtained from natural, whole food sources.

💡Pranic Energy

Pranic energy is a concept from traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda, referring to the life force or vital energy in food. The video script mentions the importance of pranic energy, suggesting that nutrients should be obtained from foods grown under the sun and moon, which is in line with the wisdom of the ancient rishis.

Highlights

Dr. Marianne Teitelbaum emphasizes the importance of understanding Vitamin K2 for preventing various health issues.

Vitamin K2, specifically MK4, is crucial for health, and most people are unaware of its benefits.

Dr. Weston A. Price's research in the 1930s revealed the significance of indigenous diets for robust health.

Activator X, later identified as Vitamin K2, was found in high concentrations in foods like butterfat and egg yolks.

Vitamin K2 MK4 is essential for infant growth, fertility, and reproduction.

MK4 is unique as it is not a byproduct of bacterial synthesis and is found in animal sources.

Ghee, particularly from grass-fed cows, contains the highest amount of MK4.

Vitamin K2 directs calcium to teeth and bones, reducing the risk of diseases like osteoporosis and heart disease.

Modern dietary changes, such as low-fat diets and the use of margarine, have contributed to health declines.

The shift away from polyunsaturated vegetable oils towards saturated fruit oils like avocado and coconut oil is noted.

Ghee is highlighted as easy to digest and a rich source of Vitamin K2 MK4.

Dr. Price's findings suggest Activator X aids in the absorption and assimilation of nutrients from our diets.

Vitamin K2 MK4 is vital for the development of the child and is found in umbilical cord blood and placenta.

Synthetic Vitamin D supplements often include MK7, which is less bioactive than MK4 found in food.

NIH-funded studies and other research highlight the superiority of nutrient intake from food over synthetic supplements.

Widespread deficiency of Vitamin K2 MK4 is attributed to factors like aversion to animal fat and modern farming practices.

The importance of cholesterol for brain function, hormone production, and skin health is underscored.

The benefits of consuming high-quality whole milk from grass-fed cows are discussed.

As we age, the importance of maintaining fat intake for joint lubrication and hormone production is highlighted.

Ancient wisdom on the importance of fats, particularly ghee, for health and longevity is emphasized.

Transcripts

hello i'm dr marianne teitelbaum

today we're going to talk about vitamin

k2

now the information i'm about to present

to you is extremely important for you to

understand

i've made lots of videos which are all

important in teaching you how to take

care of your body

but i would highly recommend you listen

to this one a few times so you fully

understand it because most people are

unwittingly making lots of mistakes

which i'll be discussing here

causing all kinds of health problems

from osteoporosis to cancer and diabetes

heart disease and just about any other

disease you can think of

and the answer to curing all these

diseases lies in preventing them from

occurring in the first place

and it's so easy to do you just have to

know this very important piece of the

puzzle that i'm about to present here

let me tell you a little story of how

this information was first discovered

at least here in the western world

of course the enlightened rishis of

india who cognized ayurveda already knew

this information

but it took a very long time for that to

reach the countries outside of india

so we had to learn it in a slow arduous

way and in fact most of us still haven't

learned it and that includes most

doctors as well as the laypersons

so here goes

in the 1930s one of the most prominent

health researchers and dentists of the

20th century

dr weston a price spent 10 years

traveling the world in search of the

secrets to perfect health and longevity

he went to both remote places and the

crowded cities of 14 different countries

looking for healthy people and doing

extensive research on them

he wanted to see what their secret was

for their robust health

compared to the poor health the

americans were experiencing

he found that those people who ate their

indigenous foods had strong bones and

perfect dental arches

minimal tooth decay

high immunity to tuberculosis and

overall excellent health

compared to those people who were

introduced to modern foods like white

refined flour white refined sugar

refined vegetable oils and canned and

processed goods

in other words those who ate the food

the way nature intended whole grains

fresh fruits and vegetables nuts and

seeds meats and dairy products were

extremely healthy

he ended up writing a book called

nutrition and physical degeneration

comparing the health statistics and

photographs of those eating healthy with

those who were eating processed foods

it became obvious to him after visiting

so many people that those who ate the

processed foods were much sicker than

their indigenous counterparts who still

lived in nature eating the wholesome

foods which grew in the areas in which

they lived

but there was something that intrigued

him for years and he devoted a whole

chapter discussing it in his book

and this is what i would like to talk to

you about today because just knowing

this one bit of information

will go a long way into giving you the

radiant health that you're seeking

he had discovered a new fat soluble

vitamin

at first he thought it was vitamin d but

then he quickly realized it wasn't that

it hadn't been discovered yet so he just

called it activator x

he believed it was a missing nutrient in

our modern diet

and that its absence could explain many

of our modern diseases

he was able to to heal dental cavities

reduce oral bacteria and restore life to

sick and starving children who were near

death

by changing their diet to a more

wholesome one which included this

activator x

along with the natural unprocessed foods

he said activator x was found in the

butter fat of milk in the eggs of fishes

and the organs and fats of animals

its highest concentration was found in

milk

when the cows were eating grasses

especially the quickly grown grasses

which grow in the spring he said it was

also synthesized by the mammary glands

and therefore found in breast milk and

it played an important role in infant

growth and development as well as

fertility and reproduction

now he said that milk contained high

amounts of this activator x

but it was even more concentrated in the

butter

but he found he could concentrate the

amounts further by centrifuging the

butter and making a high vitamin butter

oil which he called it

years later a name was given to this

unknown fat soluble vitamin

it is now called vitamin k k2

vitamin k1 is found in green leafy

vegetables but dr price was specifically

talking about this version

known as vitamin k2 found in animal fats

milk butter and butter oil

now here's where the confusion lies

vitamin k2 has differing types of side

chains

represented as mk4 to mk13

now mk means monoquinone

mk5 through mk13

are formed by bacterial synthesis

but the mk4 is dr price's activator x

which is unique and it's the only form

that is not the byproduct of bacterial

synthesis but it comes from animal

sources

so it's the mk4 from animal fats like

milk butter and butter oil which give

the very important health benefits

note that butter and concentrated butter

products like ghee

contain 100

mk4

there are no bacterial mk's in these

products

mk4 is the fat found in nature which is

designed for the growth and nourishment

of all mammals

only vitamin mk only vitamin k and mk4

are found in the umbilical cord blood

the placenta actually blocks the mk7

while allowing the mk4 into the unborn

child

and high concentrations of mk4 are also

found in the placenta

and mk4 is needed for the development of

the child

in fact the traditional sacred foods for

preconception and pregnancy were foods

rich in mk4 and babies were always

weaned onto foods containing high

amounts of mk4

mk4 also helps in building strong bones

and strong teeth

it also prevents cancer diabetes and

other serious diseases

so let's stop right here and examine

this a little further

this is very interesting

let's look at the amounts of mk4 found

in certain fats

now whole milk contains 10 units

butter jumps up to 90 units as you

concentrate the fat out of the milk

and dr price concentrated the butter fat

more

by centrifuging the butter and creating

a butter oil which contains 196 to 240

units but look at this

ghee contains the absolute highest

amount which is 270 to 360 units

the ancient doctors were so wise to

recommend concentrating the mk4 in this

way

of course they didn't have the name for

mk4 but they knew at their high level of

consciousness that eating ghee the

essence of the cow's milk would be very

good for the developing child's brain as

well as for the mother's fertility

now we have solid research showing how

correct they were

and they knew how to make it very

concentrated by making yogurt from heavy

cream

churning that into butter

and then simmering out the water and

dairy solids which is known as

clarifying the butter which concentrates

the mk4

vitamin k2 directs any and all calcium

that comes into your body into the teeth

and bones and away from the arteries

joints and other organs and glands for

good reason

this is why dr price found hundreds of

specimens of people who had problems

with their teeth and dental arches who

were deficient in mk4

but those who ate these concentrated

forms of fats

had no problems with their bones or

teeth

and again

the ancient doctors were prescient in

stating that the fat tissue was the raw

material for the bone that you need a

good quality fat tissue to be converted

into good quality bone tissue

now here's the sad part

for years doctors have been telling

people to avoid cholesterol and eat

low-fat diets

just about the whole world changed their

eating habits and started ingesting

refined vegetable oils once doctors

proclaimed that we should discard butter

and instead eat margarine

even in india ghee factories opened up

making ghee for margarine

this is when our health really took a

nose dive

people started developing osteoporosis

dental cavities arthritis and heart

disease at epidemic levels

women became infertile and children

began developing all forms of speech and

developmental delays

even to this day most restaurants

continue to cook with the blend of

refined vegetable oils

this is even true of all the health food

stores who advertise that their baked

goods are baked with oils and not butter

thinking that this is a healthy thing to

do and then they don't realize that

these oils oxidize at these very high

baking temperatures and are very

dangerous for our health

it became obvious that when you heat the

vegetable oils they form a plastic which

clogs the arteries causing all the

strokes and heart attacks that we're

witnessing today

so nowadays people are moving away from

the polyunsaturated vegetable oils and

instead are turning towards eating the

more saturated fruit oils like avocado

and coconut oil

these oils are somewhat heavy and hard

to digest

people should learn about ghee it is

saturated but it's very easy to digest

and it provides the very high doses of

vitamin k2 mk4 that our bodies crave

this was also very interesting to note

dr price called this nutrient activator

x because he said that it acted as an

activator or catalyst which aided in the

absorption and assimilation of all the

nutrients from our diets the protein

minerals and vitamins

he stated quote it is possible to starve

for minerals that are abundant in the

foods eaten because they cannot be

utilized without an adequate quantity of

the fat soluble activators unquote

in other words

the amounts of nutrients we absorb into

our cells depends on these fat soluble

vitamins

the ancient doctors knew this as well

which is why ghee is used as the base of

many ayurvedic herbal preparations

the herbs are cooked into the gate

because the ghee delivers them across

the cell wall

and eating ghee in the diet does in fact

enhance the absorption of all the

nutrients we eat in our food

since all the cell walls in our body are

made out of cholesterol

and ghee becomes the vehicle to drag the

nutrients across those fatty cell wall

membranes and into our cells

keep in mind the food we eat can't help

you much unless it gets broken down and

absorbed into the inside of your cells

it does no good if it's on the outside

and here's the other problem

now that vitamin k2 has been discovered

it's being put in all the synthetic

vitamin d supplements since k2 helps

ensure that the calcium transported by

the vitamin d is absorbed into your

bones where it's needed

rather than being deposited in your

arteries where it's not needed

but

the type of vitamin k2 that we get in

supplements is mk7

yep the type rejected by the plazana as

we just mentioned not the type we get in

food

the best way to get active and

efficiently assimilated vitamin k2 is

from food

now an nih funded study involving 27 000

people over six year period

found that the health benefits

associated with adequate intakes of

vitamins

came from getting these nutrients

through eating food

as opposed to taking the synthetic

vitamin supplements

there has been other research in 2018 by

nolan chatron and his group who

demonstrated that mk4 had strong binding

in the tissues

whereas the mk7 showed shaky binding and

no stability

leading to mk7 binding failure which

means that it's not bioactive and at a

very deep level cannot be utilized by

the tissues

mk4 on the other hand is very strong in

its binding capacity very stable and

promotes healthy binding of calcium so

it can be taken to the teeth and bones

and away from the tissues and arteries

and this all points up again to what the

ancient rishis were trying to tell us

we want our nutrients to contain pranic

energy

which means that they should be grown

outside under the healing rays of the

sun and the moon

this echoes dr price when he stated that

synthetic supplementation drowns out the

wisdom of our ancestors

the knowledge that all health starts

with nutrient-dense whole foods

as dr price has stated quote

people of the past obtained a substance

that modern generations do not have

unquote and now we know this substance

is his activator x

now known as vitamin k2 mk4

and dr royal lay another famous dentist

researcher and founder of standard

process lab stated

quote just as the chemist cannot create

life

neither can he create a complex vitamin

the life element in foods and nutrition

this is a mystery the chemist has not

solved and probably never will unquote

and keep this in mind

there's a widespread deficiency of

vitamin k2 mk4 in the world

due to our aversion to eating animal fat

animals raised eating anything other

than grass

factory farming of animals high

antibiotic use in animal feeds and in

humans

animal fed gmo corn and soy

soil depletion glyphosate processed

foods and dysfunctions of the gut

and if you're taking a statin or a blood

thinner these drugs create a deficiency

of vitamin k2 as they lower the

cholesterol that the body so desperately

needs to stay healthy

and to make matters worse

many people are choosing plant-based

milks over full-fat cow's milk

because it's been drummed into their

mind from an early age that cholesterol

is bad for you then it should be avoided

at all costs

and by doing so

they don't realize that they're

eliminating one of nature's most

important foods

fortunately it's becoming easier and

easier to get high quality whole milk

from cows who haven't been given any

antibiotics or growth hormones and are

out grazing in the pastures eating

untreated grass

now as we grow into old age

we're entering what is known as the vata

stage of life which means the element of

dryness becomes more prominent in our

bodies

therefore it becomes important for us to

keep lubricating various parts of our

bodies

because if our joints get dry we could

suffer arthritic aches and pains

the brain needs a continuous supply of

cholesterol to prevent dementia

the hormones that keep you young

estrogen and progesterone in women and

testosterone in men are made out of

cholesterol

and even if we're postmenopausal we

still make these hormones

which means we need to give our glands

the raw materials the cholesterol to

make these important hormones well into

old age

and always remember this

cholesterol comes from an animal

so while avocados coconuts nuts seeds

and other plant-based fats may be good

for many other bodily functions

they do not contain the much-needed

cholesterol that the body needs

we need to keep up our intake of good

fats

since it's the fat tissue that

transforms into the bone tissue

we also need to nourish the fatty layers

in our skin to prevent the drying

sagging and wrinkling that

that could occur with old age and don't

forget our skin also needs a constant

supply of cholesterol

since the sunlight hitting the skin

converts the cholesterol into not only

vitamin d but also serotonin

melatonin endorphins

and many other hormones and

neurotransmitters that the brain and the

body need to function properly

so it's important for us to keep up our

intake of fats

and understand which are the most

important sources of the highly

important vitamin k2 mk4 found in milk

at higher levels in butter with the

highest amounts found in ghee made from

grass-fed cow butter

there's a reason why our elderly

ancestors ate more of this fatty

nutrient as they aged we should listen

to this wisdom and pass it on to future

generations

thank you