Vitamin K2 plays an important role in preventing and controlling arterial calcification
Aging with health and quality of life is a desire shared by many people and, in this process, cardiovascular health plays an important role. IBGE data shows that the Brazilian population is already living longer: an average of 77 years. As we reach this age, the cardiovascular system begins to suffer from natural changes, such as arterial calcification, which increases the incidence of heart attacks, strokes and peripheral arterial disease. But it's not all bad news, as it's possible to slow down these changes by including healthy eating habits, physical activity and the use of Menaquinone-7, known as vitamin K2, in your routine.
Dr. Francisco Antonio Helfenstein Fonseca, cardiologist and professor in the Department of Medicine at the Escola Paulista de Medicina da Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM-UNIFESP), explains that although calcium is the main mineral found in bones and teeth, its presence is not restricted to these organs. Around 1% of the body's total calcium is found in the blood and, with advancing age, deposits of this mineral can occur in various parts of the body.
"This process, known as arterial calcification, causes the walls of the arteries (intima) to stiffen and narrow, impairing blood circulation and increasing problems in the circulatory system. Although stiffness in the arteries is inevitable with ageing, other risk factors can aggravate the disease, such as a sedentary lifestyle, family history, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure. This condition damages the natural elasticity of the arteries, restricts blood flow and impairs the supply of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and organs," explains the specialist.
Dr. Francisco Fonseca says that the prevention of arterial calcification must be multifactorial. "Ideally, proper nutrition, regular physical activity and monitoring of cardiac tests should be combined. In addition, including vitamin K2 in the patient's diet helps to reduce the problems caused by arterial calcification. Menaquinone-7, in the form of Menaeptenone, acts as a regulator of calcium metabolism, helping to direct the mineral to the bones and preventing it from being deposited in the arterial walls," says the cardiologist.
However, this vitamin is present in only a few foods - not always accessible. An example of a source of K2 is Natto, a traditional Japanese delicacy made from fermented soybeans. "Supplementation is a tool to make up for this shortfall. If the patient is diabetic, has a history of kidney failure, a heart attack or other cardiac problems, the risk of developing arterial calcification is much higher. In this way, the doctor can advise the patient to start taking vitamin K2 at the appropriate dosage, according to individual risks," says Dr. Fonseca. According to data from the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (SOCESP), cardiovascular diseases account for 400,000 deaths a year, representing 30% of all deaths in the country.
"Arterial calcification is a challenging condition that can lead to several even more serious and irreversible problems, but with proper treatment, as well as medical guidance and monitoring, this condition can be controlled," concludes UNIFESP professor Dr. Francisco Antonio Helfenstein Fonseca.
Sources:
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.020551
https://bvsms.saude.gov.br/usar-o-coracao-para-cada-coracao-29-9-dia-mundial-do-coracao/#:~:text=No%20Brasil%2C%20cerca%20de%2014,todos%20os%20%C3%B3bitos%20no%20pa%C3%ADs.