Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries which lead to accumulations of fats cells, and calcium deposits (i.e. plaques).
It has been shown that people with a rapid increase in the amount of calcium deposits have a higher risk for stroke and heart attack than people with a decreased amount.
Vitamin K2 is associated with the inhibition of arterial calcification and arterial stiffening.
An adequate intake of vitamin K2 has been shown to lower the risk of vascular damage because it activates matrix GLA protein (MGP), which inhibits the deposits of calcium on the walls
In the groups receiving high-dose vitamin K2 (MK-4), not only was there no further arterial calcium accumulation, there was a 37% reduction of previously accumulated arterial calcification after six weeks.
After 12 weeks, there was a 53% reduction in accumulated arterial calcium deposits.
Conclusion:
Medical peer reviewed papers support considering adding vitamin K2 to a healthy lifestyle protocol (cardio/resistant exercise, Paleo-Diet, relaxation, flexibility exercises, etc.) to reverse the damaging effects of arterial calcification and arterial stiffening.
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References:
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-k2#bottom-line
https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2017/11/vitamin-k-and-arterial-stiffness
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.118.12157
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04010578
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4566462/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26176325/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091006093345.htm
Writen by Dr. John Nieters, DAOM, L.Ac, M.Sc. CFMP
