Vitamin K2, found in animal food sources, is essential for blood clotting and bone strength. It may also benefit cognitive function, skin health, and reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Dietary sources include organ meats, eggs, cheese, and fermented foods like natto.
Menaquinone, also known as vitamin K2, is an essential vitamin found primarily in organ meats. Menaquinone is believed to have a number of important functions in the body. It is considered essential for proper blood clotting and helps bind calcium to bones to make them stronger. Research suggests that menaquinone may even help prevent prostate cancer.
Vitamin K2 is actually a group of K vitamins generally found in animal food sources. Plants can also contain vitamins K, but they generally belong to the vitamin K1 group. These two distinct vitamin groups generally perform separate roles in the body.
One of the most well-known benefits of menaquinone may be its role in helping blood to clot properly. Vitamin K2 can help blood clot because it can bind with osteocalcin, a protein often found in bone. This protein helps bind calcium in the blood to skeletal bones, making them stronger. The binding of menaquinone with osteocalcin is also considered a crucial part of the coagulation process. Without this molecular reaction, bleeding problems can arise.
In addition to ensuring bone health and proper blood clotting, vitamin K2 may benefit cognitive function and skin health. It can help prevent cardiovascular disease by helping to remove calcification deposits from arterial walls. Research suggests that vitamin K2 may be beneficial in the treatment of age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Some studies suggest that increased intake of vitamin K2 can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 35%.
While doctors once believed that vitamin K2 compounds were not an essential part of a healthy diet, newer evidence is beginning to change that thinking. The human body is normally capable of synthesizing its own vitamin K2. However, studies appear to reveal that only dietary menaquinones can reduce cancer risk and support bone, skin, brain, and cardiovascular health.
Dietary sources of menaquinone include organ meats, such as kidneys or liver. Eggs, cheese, and butter are also rich in these vitamin compounds. While muscle meats often don’t contain as much vitamin K2 as organ meats, ground beef, poultry, and meats like salami are considered relatively high in menaquinones. Foods that undergo fermentation during the preparation process, such as sauerkraut or natto, often contain the highest levels of vitamin K2. Natto itself may be one of the richest sources of vitamin K2 in the diet.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
