Did you know that your heart pumps an enormous amount of blood every day? To keep this running smoothly, a strong heart and healthy blood vessels are essential. Vitamin K can help with this, even though this vitamin is often overlooked. In this blog, you will discover why vitamin K is so important!

In this article, you will read

  • What types of vitamin K there are
  • How vitamin K keeps your blood vessels healthy
  • Why vitamin K can reduce inflammation
  • In which foods you can find vitamin K

Blood clotting and more

Vitamin K is best known for its role in blood clotting, but there is more to it than that. There are two main forms of vitamin K: K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone).

The two forms of vitamin K are also found in different foods. Vitamin K1 is mainly found in green leafy vegetables, while vitamin K2 is found in animal products and fermented foods.

What is special about these two forms is that they both help prevent calcium deposits in the blood vessels. These calcium deposits are dangerous because they can contribute to cardiovascular disease.

Maintaining healthy blood vessels

Want to protect your blood vessels? You need vitamin K2! It helps remove calcium from the blood vessels and transport it to the bones, where it belongs.

This process reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis and keeps the blood vessels supple and flexible, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerosis) and high blood pressure.

Anti-inflammatory power

Another important role of vitamin K is inflammation inhibition. Inflammation plays a major role in the development of cardiovascular disease. Vitamin K helps reduce inflammation, protecting the heart and blood vessels from damage.

In short: there are plenty of reasons to ensure you get enough vitamin K. There are also a number of groups that are prone to vitamin K deficiency.

Source

  1. Booth, S. L., & Suttie, J. W. (1998). Dietary intake and adequacy of vitamin K. The Journal of nutrition, 128(5), 785–788. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/128.5.785
  2. Shearer, M. J., & Newman, P. (2008). Metabolism and cell biology of vitamin K. Thrombosis and haemostasis, 100(4), 530–547.
  3. Rodríguez-Olleros Rodríguez, C., & Díaz Curiel, M. (2019). Vitamin K and Bone Health: A Review on the Effects of Vitamin K Deficiency and Supplementation and the Effect of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants on Different Bone Parameters. Journal of osteoporosis, 2019, 2069176. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2069176
  4. van Ballegooijen, A. J., Pilz, S., Tomaschitz, A., Grübler, M. R., & Verheyen, N. (2017). The Synergistic Interplay between Vitamins D and K for Bone and Cardiovascular Health: A Narrative Review. International journal of endocrinology, 2017, 7454376. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/7454376

About VitaminFit
The mission of VitaminFit is simple: we want to make it easy for everyone to embrace a consciously healthy lifestyle. We ensure that you effortlessly receive the right nutrients thanks to our 100% plant-based and natural dietary supplements. Pure nature, without additives, and packed with active ingredients. Our supplements are easy to take and are optimally absorbed by your body.

Because everyone is unique, we focus on your specific needs. Whether you want to strengthen your immune system or are looking for more physical and mental balance, we are here to support you in developing a healthy lifestyle that perfectly suits you.
VitaminFit logo

Related articles