VITAMIN D-3 WITH K-2
The Benefits of D-3
D-3 is a vitamin that has earned the nickname of the "sunshine vitamin."
When not taken as a supplement, it is usually found in animals. It is also
known as cholecalciferol. Interestingly, you can also get D3 by absorbing it as
sunlight, a relative rarity among humans. However, this can make absorbing D-3
naturally more of a challenge, particularly if you constantly wear sunscreen,
don't get enough sun, or have darker skin, as a darker skin tone can make it
harder to absorb sunlight.
D-3 works primarily by binding with the cells in your body.
This has an impact on how much calcium and phosphate your body winds up
absorbing - more on that later.
In addition to sunlight, you can get D-3 in many foods,
including beef liver, butter, egg yokes, fresh salmon, and more. Indeed, many
fish come loaded with D-3. However, again, if you don't eat fish, you may find
yourself with a D-3 deficiency, increasing your need to take a D-3 supplement.
D-3 is important because it comes with many
benefits. This includes:
- Strengthening
your bones. D-3 can increase the amount of calcium that your body absorbs.
As a result, your bones can become stronger, making you more likely to
break them in the event of an injury and helping to fight off other
diseases, like arthritis.
- Protecting
your immune system. Research indicates that vitamin D, in all forms, can
help to strengthen your immune system and fight off many types of
diseases. While no definitive conclusions have yet been reached, evidence
also emerged which demonstrated that a Vitamin D deficiency increased
the odds of someone getting COVID-19 and that higher levels of Vitamin D
could be linked to less risk of contracting COVID-19.
It is also worth noting that a lack of Vitamin D is
associated with many negative health risks, including muscle pain and weakness,
inflammation, arthritis, skin disorders, mood disorders, and more. The evidence
is very clear: Vitamin D is highly useful to help ward off many types of
diseases, boost your immune system, and make sure you are feeling well.
The Benefits of K-2
Vitamin
K-2 is a much more rare and under-discussed Vitamin. It is typically found
in foods like animals and other fermented foods, including grass-fed cows, egg
yolks, and organ meats, like liver. K2 typically comes in two different types,
known as MK-4 and MK-7.
One of the primary benefits of K-2 appears to be its ability
to assist with the regulation of calcium deposits on your body. It works by
strengthening your bones and teeth. It also assists in keeping calcium out of
your blood vessels and helps with maintaining heart health by helping to keep
your blood vessels functioning and free of calcium deposits. Indeed, higher
rates of K-2 absorption are directly associated with a reduced risk of dying
from some sort of heart disease.
In addition to the obvious health and immune benefits of
reducing heart disease, K-2 is also associated with improved dental health and
a reduced risk of cancer. Multiple studies have found that K-2 is directly
associated with a reduced risk of liver cancer and prostate cancer.
Other studies have made a more direct connection between K-2
and the immune system. For example, a 2019 study
found postmenopausal women who took K2 showed inhibited T-cell proliferation,
meaning that K2 could potentially boost their immune system.
Why Taking Them Together is Best
Evidence clearly indicates that D-3 and K-2 may have
benefits for your immune system. However, some studies have also found that
taking these two vitamins together - rather than separately - can help to boost
their impact.
This
effect appears tied to the way that the two vitamins work. Remember, D-3
helps to regulate the way in which your cells process calcium, while K-2 helps
to regulate the way your body actually treats calcium. Taking the two vitamins
at the same time can help to enhance the effect of each, ensuring a cellular
synergy.
Some papers have speculated - with some evidence - that this
can have a variety of impacts on your body. For example,
a 2020 paper reviewed the evidence and mechanisms by which taking D-3 and K-2
may help the body fight off COVID-19, noting that there was clear evidence that
these two vitamins contributed to the success and overall strength of your
immune system. Reviews
of this paper have noted that its conclusions are clear: K-2 intake can
help to boost the impact of D-3 consumption.
These issues are particularly prevalent in western
societies, as western diets tend to be low in both D-3 and K-2. These naturally
occurring deficiencies make it even more clear that supplements which utilize
both D-3 and K-2 are vital at this moment. The importance of taking both of
these vitamins - together - has clearly grown, as some evidence suggests that
COVID-19 can be fought off with the right supplements.
As with all vitamins, you should always consult with your
doctor before taking any supplements. This ensures that the vitamins you take
won't interact with any medication you are taking. However, the evidence is
clear: D3 and K2 have many health benefits.
