A new vitamin has been discovered in butter!
Many other vitamins are responsible for keeping your body healthy, including vitamin K. But despite its name, vitamin K is not a single vitamin.
VITAMIN K IS DIFFERENT IN TWO
Rather, vitamin K refers to a group of compounds that share a similar chemical structure. The two most important forms for your health are K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menachinones). Although less well-known is vitamin K, especially vitamin K2, this nutrient plays an important role in factors such as bone and heart health.
WHAT IS VITAMIN K2 FOUND?
Although vitamin K1 is typically the main dietary source of vitamin K and is mainly found in green leafy vegetables, vitamin K2 is still an important part of a balanced diet and is mainly found in animal and fermented foods. They are usually linked to bone health and cardiovascular health. Vitamin K2 is found in egg yolks, butter, various animal products, sauerkraut and kefir when vitamin K2 is added to animal feed.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VITAMIN K2?
While researchers are still working to fully understand vitamin K2 and its uses, current research is promising.
SUPPORTS BONE HEALTH
Research into the use of vitamin K2 in the treatment of osteoporosis and the prevention of new bone fractures shows promising results.
CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE
Your heart health can be improved with a higher intake of vitamin K2. An early sign of coronary artery disease is calcification of the arteries. It is suggested that a protein called MGP can prevent calcification, but it relies on vitamin K for optimal function. Therefore, supplementation of vitamin K2 can help support MGP in the prevention of calcium deposits in the arteries.
CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF DIABETES
Promising research results have been published that vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
Can Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a type of protein that occurs naturally in your body. CRP levels rise with inflammation. If you have a chronic inflammatory condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis, your CRP levels may be consistently high. There is some evidence that vitamin K2 supplementation can reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis by lowering levels of C-reactive protein. A 2013 study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who took vitamin K2 supplements experienced lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), which has been linked to less inflammation. While more research is needed for definitive answers, vitamin K2 holds promise for the treatment and prevention of some chronic diseases.