Vitamin K2 in the prevention of arterial calcification
Cardiovascular health precautions are essential to ensure a long and healthy life. According to the Ministry of Health, cardiovascular diseases cause around 400,000 deaths a year, with arterial calcification being one of the aggravating factors for myocardial infarction, stroke and peripheral arterial disease.
Have you ever heard of this condition? We'll explain: Over the years, calcium can build up in the arteries. This process, known as arterial calcification, causes the arteries to stiffen and impairs blood circulation.
Although calcium is the main mineral found in bones and teeth, its presence is not limited to them alone, as approximately 1% is found in the blood. In addition, with advancing age the concentration of this mineral can be seen in other parts of the body.
There are also risk factors that can aggravate the disease, such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, diabetes, kidney failure, high blood pressure and family history.
Vitamin K2 is one of the options to help prevent this condition. This is because Menaquinone-7 (the technical name for vitamin K2), acts as a regulator of calcium metabolism and helps direct the mineral to the bones, inhibiting its deposition in the artery walls.
You may be wondering where to find vitamin K2. Mequinone-7 is present in cheeses, egg yolks, meats and in foods that are not so common in our culture, such as Natto, a traditional Japanese delicacy made from fermented soybeans. Supplementing is therefore a safe alternative when it is not possible to supply the body with the necessary amount of K2 with the day's meals.
Supplementing with this vitamin is important, but it needs to be combined with a healthier lifestyle! Check out the list we've prepared of key habits to prevent and control arterial calcification:
. Daily physical activity
. Opt for healthy food
. Controlling high blood pressure
It is essential to have a medical angiologist for both prevention and treatment of patients who already have the condition at an advanced stage. The specialist determines the appropriate dose of vitamin K2 to be ingested, as well as guiding specific treatments for each case. See a doctor and take care of your health ? every day!
Sources:
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.120.020551
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566462
https://www.scielo.br/j/rbr/a/4QNh3RBZgWPWQWsk58KjmdB/x