Vitamin K2 in the prevention of arterial calcification
Taking precautions to maintain cardiovascular health is essential for ensuring a long and healthy life. According to the Ministry of Health, cardiovascular diseases cause approximately 400,000 deaths per year, with arterial calcification being a contributing factor to myocardial infarction, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
Have you ever heard of this condition? Let us explain: Over the years, calcium can build up in the arteries. This process, known as arterial calcification, causes the arteries to harden and impairs blood flow.
Although calcium is the primary mineral found in bones and teeth, its presence is not limited to these structures, as approximately 11% is found in the blood. Furthermore, as we age, this mineral can be found in other parts of the body.
There are also risk factors that can worsen the disease, such as a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, diabetes, kidney failure, high blood pressure, and family history.
Vitamin K2 is one of the options for helping to 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, preventing its buildup in the artery walls.
You may be wondering where to find vitamin K2. Mena-7 is found in cheese, egg yolks, meat, and foods that aren’t very common in our culture, such as natto, a traditional Japanese delicacy made from fermented soybeans. Therefore, taking a supplement is a safe alternative when it’s not possible to provide the body with the necessary amount of K2 through daily meals.
Taking this vitamin as a supplement is important, but it needs to be combined with a healthier lifestyle! Check out the list we’ve put together of essential habits for preventing and managing arterial calcification:
. Exercise daily
. Choose a healthy diet
. Managing high blood pressure
It is essential to be under the care of an angiologist for both the prevention and treatment of patients who already have the condition in an advanced stage. The specialist determines the appropriate dose of vitamin K2 to be taken, as well as recommending 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