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Vitamin Guide > Vitamins > Vitamin K2
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Vitamin K2 |
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Vitamin K2 Definition |
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Vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, is produced by the bacteria in animal and human intestines.
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Vitamin K2 Benefits |
Vitamin K2 is thought to help in treating leukemia (basically improve a blood disorder called myelodysplasic syndromes or (MDS) which can lead to acute myeloid leukemia) by helping the affected cells transform into more normal, nonleukemic cells. It also plays a critical role in preventing arterial calcification, which is a risk factor in coronary artery disease, as well as other calcification conditions associated with aging. It provides important protection from osteoporosis. Basically its job is to put calcium in the right places (bones and blood) and prevent it from being deposited at the wrong places (calcification of the vessels, bone spurs and calcification of soft tissues).
It is a powerful anti-oxidant and some emerging studies indicate that it might help in the joints and intestinal health too.
New studies are revealing even more benefits, which include lowering Cholesterol, preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease and cancer and more. Japanese researchers have recently discovered that vitamin K2 may play a significant role in prevention of liver cancer caused by viral cirrhosis.
Vitamin K2 also helps in normal coagulation of blood.
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Sources of Vitamin K2 |
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Vitamin K2 is produced by a bacteria present in human bowel. Other dietary sources of Vitamin K2 are Egg yolk, fermented foods, chicken, butter, certain cheeses, liver and fermented soybean products such as natto.
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Deficiency of Vitamin K2 |
Vitamin K2 deficiency symptoms include easy bruisability, epistaxis, gastrointestinal bleeding, menorrhagia and hematuria.
Though this deficiency is very rare it occurs only when there is an inability to absorb the vitamin from the intestinal tract.
This deficiency can also occur after prolonged treatment with oral antibiotics.
When it occurs, it occurs usually in people with diseases that prevent absorption of fat such as cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and cholestasis.
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Excess of Vitamin K2 |
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There is no known toxicity associated with high doses of phylloquinone.
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Precautions |
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Overdose in pregnant mothers can lead to birth defects like Growth disorders, Flat nasal bridge, Cardiac dysfunction, Learning disorders, Neural tube defects etc.
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