Vitamin K2

Many people ask, "what is Vitamin K2?" To answer that question it would be easier to first explain briefly in layman terms what Vitamin K is. Vitamin K is a group name for a few different compounds found in the body, particularly the blood, which helps transport calcium needed for the blood to coagulate. When out skin is punctured or cut we start to bleed. Shortly thereafter our blood clots up, and it stops the bleeding long enough for the blood to dry and form a scab. If our blood did not clot we would continue to bleed until death, from even the smallest of cuts. Vitamin K produces four or the thirteen cofactors that are needed for proper coagulation in the blood. Suffice to say, it plays a very important role in our liver and blood flowing system.

Vitamin K is found in two natural varieties, K1, and K2. K1 is generally the more commonly found form of Vitamin K and is taken frequently in supplemental form and used often for an antidote for anticoagulation poisoning like rat poison. Vitamin K2, or Menaquinone, is found in bacteria mainly produced in our bodies in the GI tract, or intestines. Vitamin K2 plays a key role in making sure calcium deposits aren't put in the wrong places and helps prevent arterial calcification. There has been a great deal of research in the last 50 years on Vitamin K and it's different forms and it's been found that Vitamin K2 provides major protection from osteoporosis, cardiovascular blockages and pathological calcification.

There are many different sources for Vitamin K and its varying forms, mostly plants like vegetables or synthetic sources. You can find Vitamin K rich vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, collards, and spinach just to name a few. If you're interested in finding a more complete list of the natural sources of Vitamin K in produce you can always talk to your doctor or go online and do a search for Vitamin K2 rich foods. For those people out there that have certain diseases that prevent the absorption of fats from food, and therefore the important vitamins like Vitamin K, there are Vitamin K injections you can take or products like Vitamin K creams you can use on your skin to help get your daily dosage of it. There is a company called the Carlson and Vitamin K2 has been a big part of their research and development in the supplement department. You can find Carlson Vitamin K2 capsules in most pharmacies or drug store available to you. For more information about Vitamin K2 or other vitamins just ask your doctor or look for information in medical documentation online.