What Is Vitamin K2?

Vitamin K2 is a nutrient vital to maintaining strong, healthy bones and proper functioning of blood cells. This vitamin is a major component in coagulation, which causes blood to clot inside the body. It can also strengthen bones and bone marrow by directing calcium to these areas of the body. Some individuals may be deficient in this vitamin and require the use of daily supplements to increase its levels within their blood streams.

All components of vitamin K help the body to efficiently distribute calcium. Calcium is positively utilized by blood cells and bones to maintain daily functions and overall cellular integrity. When this mineral is not directed properly, it can form in large deposits within arterial walls, inside soft tissues, and along the edges of bones, creating bone spurs. Each of these conditions can cause pain, swelling, and may ultimately be fatal if left untreated.

Negative deposits of calcium throughout the body often occur as a side effect of aging, and taking regular, daily supplements of vitamin K2 can help to lessen and reverse these effects. A large amount of vitamin K is required by the liver to excrete waste from the body and aid in purifying blood. When the body produces vitamin K, it is often directed first to this organ, and may not produce enough remaining vitamin K2 to circulate throughout the blood stream. Daily supplements can increase these levels, and the body can store up to a one month's supply of K2 at a time.

One of the primary functions of vitamin K2 alone is to prevent the build up of calcium along the walls of arteries. Calcification in arterial walls can lead to heart disease, permanent blockage, and in severe cases, heart failure. K2 naturally inhibits the formation of this mineral by redirecting it to the skeletal system, and reduces long term damage to and weakening of the arterial walls.

Vitamin k2 occurs naturally in animals and in the healthy bacteria found lining the human digestive tract. It is a fat-soluble vitamin, and requires certain amounts of fat to be present in the body to break down during digestion. The production of this vitamin can be encouraged by consuming meats and fermented foods, such as many different types of cheese. Those who are on diets which severely restrict their fat intake can be at risk for having low levels of K2 present in the blood stream and tissues. Certain types of antibiotics can also impair the body's ability to produce K2 by destroying healthy bacteria which line the gastrointestinal tract.