Milk nutrients Vitamin K2 protects cardiovascular health and bone health

The interest in the prevention of cardiovascular disease has increased in recent years, the importance of the contribution of Vitamin K has also been underlined.

Recently, the United States Dairy Association has focused on fat-soluble vitamins and vitamin K in milk. The functions of vitamin K include blood clotting, bone health, cell cycle regulation and cardiovascular health.

Vitamin K is divided into K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). K1 is found mainly in green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli, etc. K2 is in dairy products such as milk, natural cheese, butter and fermented foods such as chongkukjang and natto.

Is K2, the menaquinone. Vitamin K2 has two main functions in our bodies:

First, it prevents the calcification of blood. Cardiovascular disease is commonly known when cholesterol blocks blood vessels. Vitamin K2 promotes the formation of a protein that inhibits the calcification of blood vessels (Matrix Gla Protein, MGP), thus preventing the blood from becoming rigid and improving the elasticity of the blood vessels. [2]

Second, the prevention of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a phenomenon in which calcium leaves the bone, which can lead to cardiovascular disease. To avoid this, we need a protein called osteocalcin that forms the skeleton of the bones. K2 plays a role in the activation of osteocalcin production and makes the bone structure more robust.

In addition, vitamin K2 (menaquinone) was found to be more beneficial to cardiovascular health than vitamin K1

Sleepy WJ of the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands Dr. Boelens and colleagues published the "Correlation Between Vitamin K Intake and Total Mortality and Causal Mortality Rates" in 2016. In this study, 33,289 adults aged 20 to 70 years underwent a study of vitamin K intake and total mortality and causal mortality rates. long-term follow-up for 16.8 years.

In a follow-up of 2,863 double deaths, a relatively high intake of menaquinone

The team concluded, "Although it was already known that K1 helps blood clotting, it has been found responsible for cardiovascular health, K2 "

In this regard, Lee Jong-moon, a neurologist, said:" Green vegetables, beans, eggs, fruits, cereals, milk and meat are among the sources of vitamin K. "In addition, the milk committee said:" We recommend that you always include milk and dairy products in your usual diet to consume vitamin K. "

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