Bridging the vessels and the bones

Have you ever wondered why so many aging people have calcified plaque in their arteries and yet walk around with brittle bones that are markedly depleted of calcium? Vitamin K2 is the link between these diseases.

The Vitamin K’s

1929, Danish Nutritionist discovers Vitamin K1

 “K” for koagulationsvitamin

The clotting vitamin

Since the 1970’s, we have been discovering many non-clotting Vitamin K2 dependent proteins found ubiquitously in the body, including the bones and the vessels.

Vitamin K2 deficiency is an epidemic in the country as is Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin K2 availability decreases with aging.

Osteocalcin (OC or bone Gla protein, BGP) and matrix Gla protein (MGP) are 2 members of the growing family of vitamin K2-dependent (VKD) proteins found not to be involved in coagulation (blood clotting) and synthesized in the areas that they operate, such as the bones and the vessels.

Very dependent upon K2 to operate, Osteocalcin is primarily involved in bone metabolism. This protein binds calcium (once activated by Vitamin K2). Calcium from all over the body is then transported from the bloodstream into the bone matrix!

Matrix Gla protein (MGP) plays a crucial role in bone and vascular health, through the Inhibition of Vascular Calcification!

Vascular Health:  

MGP is a potent inhibitor of vascular calcification, a process where calcium deposits build up in the arteries. It does this by binding to calcium ions and preventing their crystallization.

Bone Health:

MGP is also involved in bone health by regulating the activity of bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts).

The production and activity of Osteocalcin and MGP are regulated by our K2 levels in the blood. Low levels of K2 are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease from vascular calcification and Osteoporosis.

In Vitamin K2 deficiency, not only is the important Vitamin K2-dependent protein, Osteocalcin underactive, BUT so is its partner, Matrix G1a protein (MGP). What this means is that in K2 deficiency, MGP, a very powerful inhibitor of arterial calcification is unable to function and because it facilitates the removal of calcium from vessels to be transported to where the calcium belongs, such as in our bones where the osteocalcin correctly deposits the calcium, our bone integrity is compromised in K2 deficiency and we develop calcified vessels, i.e. hardening of the arteries.

We want Calcified Bones NOT Arteries!

SO how do we build strong bones and prevent calcified vessels? THE ANSWER IS VITAMIN K2

Menaquinones is the name given to the two forms of Vitamin K2, both MK-4 and MK-7 that are critical for bone strength and to inhibit calcified vessels. Before reviewing how to use K2, we need to learn why it is CRITICAL TO

Say “NO!” to Fosemax! Why? I will tell you why.

Bone is a dynamic, living tissue that is continuously remodeled. As old bone is resorbed by osteoclasts, (cells that break bone down), the “old and stressed” bone is replaced with healthy new bone by osteoblasts (new bone cells).

DO WE WANT TO INHIBIT RESORPTION?!

Of course not! We don't want rubbery bones, we want strong bones! 

Bisphosphonate drugs (such as Fosemax and Actonel) increase the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) of the bones at the expense of our bone quality. Such drugs reduce the activity of osteoclast through cell death. These drugs act as an osteoclast poison. This is how the drugs slow resorption of bone. As a result, the drugs maintain “older” bone with poorer architectural quality, that our osteoclasts WOULD HAVE removed to lay new bone cells down, making it impossible to continue to build and HAVE Strong bones. As old bone is NOT torn down, the bone is more brittle because new bone cell growth is placed on top of old bone, the QUALITY of the bone will naturally be diminished and weaker. 

For decades, medical research documents that

WE WANT Bone Quality not just Quantity

BMD does not equal Bone Quality

Bisphosphonates (Fosemax like drugs to include Prolia!), may increase BMD, but do not strengthen the bones!

How is Vitamin K2 is different?

Vitamin K2 increases strength, improves the structure and boosts the mineral content of bone

 It does this while it maintains or improves BMD

Women’s risk of fracture slashed with Vitamin K2 is at least, comparable to bisphosphonates

 Menaquinones are the Vitamin K2's, not Vitamin K1

Vitamin K2 is deficient in the American diet, with only tiny quantities available in goose liver, butter and egg yolks

 Although, Vitamin K1 conversion to Vitamin K2 does occur in our bodies, this conversion slows down with age                                                                             

Vitamin K2 is a GREAT bone builder

 Clinical trials have shown that Vitamin K2 provides bone protection beyond the BMD numbers. 

Over the last 30 years, randomized, controlled human, animal and in-vitro studies have consistently demonstrated that K2 supplementation protects bone health because it deposits bone into the bone matrix

NOW let's turn to Strontium

Nature’s Bisphosphonate

“the way life should be” says your bones!

  The first vigorous studies were launched in Europe in the 1990’s to evaluate Strontium’s bone-building abilities. Large-scale, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled human studies were performed. All the studies showed statistically significant increased BMD and decreased fracture risk in both the spine as well as the hip with no reportable side effects.

How Strontium Works

   Increases the replication of osteoblasts

 DNA synthesis is increased in osteoblasts

  Decrease the number of osteoclasts as well as their surface area covered

 Does not kill osteoclasts, but slows their maturation

  Result: Improved Quality and Quantity of Bone

  What does a Bone Protection and Osteoporosis Reversal Program look like? 

  Life Style

 A diet high in lots of fresh vegetables and lean meats is great for bone formation.

  The diet should be low in sugar, soda, caffeine and NO SMOKING. These ALL leach out important nutrients or worse, poison the bone cells (osteoblasts).

Exercise-Power walking and using light 2 pound weights in the hands when you walk can be very helpful. Try to do this 30 minutes 3-5 times a week Exercise helps us with Proprioception, which helps with balance, coordination, mobility and strength