The importance of vitamin D3 and K2 in the human body

Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone, produced by the body when our skin is exposed to sunlight. In theory. In practice, its secretion depends on many factors, such as the time of the year, time of day, cloudiness and air pollution, latitude, the use of sunscreen, pigmentation, skin aging, the level of adipose tissue, exposed skin surface. to the sun. As a result, our body, in the conditions prevailing around us, is not able to produce an adequate amount of vitamin D. Therefore, supplementation is necessary.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin.

It is essential in a huge number of processes in the body.

It has a significant impact on bone metabolism.

It is particularly important in the developmental period – it is involved in shaping bones and teeth. It takes part in the fight against caries by the immune system, activating defense proteins, the so-called cathelicidin. Vitamin D deficiency in children leads to rickets, disturbed bone mineralization and decreased bone mass. In adults, it causes bone pain and diseases such as osteomalacia and osteoporosis.

It has a positive effect on the nervous and muscular systems, regenerates neurons and microdamages in the muscles, and increases their mass. Vitamin D deficiency may be related to sleep disorders.

It has an immunomodulatory effect, i.e. it regulates the body’s immune responses to various types of infections. Its supplementation in children may reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes. It supports the treatment of autoimmune diseases by affecting the cells of the bone marrow. It definitely increases immunity. It prevents the formation of cancer cells. Lowers the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Vitamin D deficiency indirectly influences the risk of developing arterial hypertension and heart failure, because it is responsible for the regulation of the functioning of the RAAS endocrine and enzyme system. This system controls the volume of blood circulating in the body and the concentration of sodium-potassium ions in body fluids.

It is important in the process of spermatogenesis and inhibits the growth of the endometrium.

It stimulates the liver’s ability to regenerate.

Daily supplementation with vitamin D3 is recommended at all ages – from childhood to old age. We will benefit from it at every stage of our lives. You should remember about the constant, regular intake of vitamin D3, because due to fat solubility, our body is not able to accumulate and store it.

A supplement that must not be mentioned when discussing the topic of vitamin D is vitamin K, which comes in two forms – K1 and K2.

Vitamin K1 is responsible for a healthy blood coagulation system. Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is known primarily for its beneficial effects on bones. Another of its properties is specific cleaning of the arteries of calcium (thus preventing calcification, i.e. calcification of the arteries). It plays an important role in the nervous system, affects memory and prevents neurodegradation. It has a good effect on the condition of the skin. It has been proven to inhibit the development of cancer cells for liver, brain, stomach, colon, lung, bladder and bone marrow cancer.

Vitamin K2 comes in different forms – MK4, MK7, MK8, and MK9. The most digestible form of it is MK7.

MK7 is obtained from natto, a Japanese fermented soybean product. Natto, a dish made of soybeans fermented by the bacterium, is a great source of MK7, but due to its specificity it is not readily consumed in our culture. Therefore, we use vitamin K2 MK7 in the form of supplements more often.

Why should you supplement vitamin D3 with vitamin K2?d3

Vitamin D allows you to absorb calcium very effectively. However, it can also have a negative effect on our body – calcium will accumulate in the coronary arteries, not in the bones. Vitamin K2 helps the body to store calcium in the bones, where it is needed. It has also been proven that the safety of vitamin D also depends on vitamin K, and the toxicity of vitamin D (although it is practically not in the form of D3) is caused by a deficiency of vitamin K2.