Why to Take Vitamin D Along With Vitamin K

What are Vitamins D and K?

Vitamins D and K are fat-soluble vitamins, which means they must be taken with a meal containing fats in order to be properly absorbed. Vitamin D acts as a hormone that contributes to many important processes in our bodies like bone formation and immunity. Nearly every cell in the human body has a vitamin D receptor- it affects over 1000 genes and their expression! At PIM, our providers test a vitamin D serum level (25-hydroxy Vitamin D is the correct test!) for all our patients because healthy levels of this vitamin are so important for overall health. Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting. It occurs in 2 main forms: K1 and K2. K2 is found to also have roles in bone formation, like vitamin D, and cardiovascular health. K2 has two subclasses: MK-4 and MK-7. MK-4 is only a metabolic byproduct, while MK-7 is a substantially more bioavailable form due to its structure. MK-7 is more active with a longer half-life, and its longer side-chain enables it to easily bind with circulating fat particles.

Why is Vitamin K so important to take with Vitamin D?

Clinical trials have shown that there is a protective benefit to both bone health, specifically for menopausal women, and cardiovascular health when taking vitamins D and K together. The studies showed a decreased risk of osteoporosis in menopausal women and decreased risk of artery calcification when taking the two together. Put simply, this is explained because the synergistic work of these two vitamins together ensures that calcium is being deposited in bones instead of clogging arteries. While more research is needed, this is exciting evidence of your body’s chemistry at work and gives us a great reason to be eating a diet with a variety of vitamin and mineral-rich foods.

If you are interested in beginning a supplement regimen, it is important to work with a healthcare provider when making any changes to your routine. This ensures that you are taking adequate amounts of the nutrients you need.

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Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/supplement-guide-vitamin-k

https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/