Vitamin K: The Wellness Vitamin

Vitamin K isn't actually one specific vitamin. There is a whole grouping of fat-soluble cofactors that are intricately involved in the creation of protein in human beings. This grouping is called vitamin K in layperson speak and for everyday purposes. There are actually four cofactors in the K grouping, which has a designated K because of its well-know ability to coagulate human blood.

K1 is an important part of the chemical process that leads directly to clotting. The other organic K variant, specifically K2 (MK-4) and K2 (MK-7), are used by the body to transport calcium. They have a profound affect on human bone density and in preventing calcium plaque formation on blood vessel walls. K3 is a synthetic variant with possible cancer applications which are being investigated.

K1 is available to eaters through a wide array of fruits and vegetables and beans and margarine. The K2s can be found in an array of cheeses and in egg yolks,chicken and beef and other non-meat proteins.

Because it has such an important role to play vis a vis calcium use in the body, it stands to reason that K is significant in the possible prevention of both osteoporosis and cardiac disease. It is becoming clear to scientists that K may also have a role to play in cognition and in increasing insulin sensitivity, thereby ameliorating the effects of diabetes.

Key Takeaways:

• The original term vitamin “K” comes from the letter “K” in the word “Koagulation”
• Scientific research over the past few years has pointed towards the importance of K vitamins in osteoporosis, vascular calcification, osteoarthritis, diabetes and cognition.
• Vitamin K is essential for good bone health due to its ability to improve bone density.

"Vitamin K is a name given to a group of fat-soluble vitamins which are considered essential cofactors in humans for the production of various proteins involved in coagulation homeostasis and calcium homeostasis."

Read more: https://www.healthaid.co.uk/healthaid-blog/vitamin-k-the-wellness-vitamin