Decreased bone density is a serious problem in elderly populations, particularly in patients who are taking blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin. Calcium is allowed to leech out of your bones and into your blood, leading to an increased risk of painful osteoporosis and arterial calcification -- also known as atherosclerosis. Vitamin K has been shown to slow down this process of bone degradation and increase new bone formation, thereby decreasing your level of pain due to low bone density.
Treatment for Osteoporosis
According to "Life Extension Magazine," a publication geared toward providing scientific information on anti-aging supplements, vitamin K can be used as an effective treatment for the prevention and reversal of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can cause pain in your bones and joints due to a significant decrease in bone density. Osteoporotic bones can be restored by specified cells called osteoblasts, which function by secreting a protein called osteocalcin that binds calcium. Osteocalcin requires the presence of vitamin K to properly bind calcium and relieve achy bones due to osteoporosis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
Vitamin K has recently been shown to aid in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, an autoimmune disease that causes pain due to constant inflammation of the joints, notes "Life Extension Magazine." Vitamin K may help block the division and multiplication of synovial cells, which line the layers of cartilage in your joints and can cause fluid buildup, reducing the level of pain and inflammation in your bones and joints due to RA.
Atherosclerosis
According to Dr. Susan E. Brown of the Center for Better Bones, atherosclerosis -- hardening of your arteries -- occurs when calcium from your bones leeches into the walls of your blood vessels. This causes a decrease in bone calcification, which leads to an increased risk of injury to the bone. Brown points out that to decrease this risk for atherosclerosis and bone injuries, you must include an adequate amount of vitamin K in your diet. This allows for proper binding of calcium to your bone matrix, increasing its strength and reducing stress and pain on your bone structure.
Sources of Vitamin K
Vitamin K has two forms -- K1 and K2 -- that are found naturally in many, easy-to-locate foods, according to Brown. Vitamin K1 is found in green, leafy vegetables, such as kale, spinach and Brussels sprouts, and is most readily absorbed into your system when they are consumed with foods containing healthy dietary fats, as vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K2 is more bioactive than vitamin K1 and plays a bigger role in maintaining bone health. It is produced by bacteria found in fermented foods, such as cheese and yogurt.
Member Comments