Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to be weak, brittle, and low density, making it dangerously easy to break a bone with even minor impact, such as a fall. With over three million Americans suffering from osteoporosis every year, it is a widespread health issue that causes a great deal of suffering and can lead to severe disability in its later stages.
However, there are some ways that those who are vulnerable to osteoporosis can reduce the likelihood of developing it and that those who already have osteoporosis can delay its further progression. One of the most effective ways to fight osteoporosis is by supplementing it with vitamin D3 and vitamin K2.
Are Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 Good for Osteoporosis?
Yes, vitamins D3 and K2 are among the best for bone health, especially when combined. Vitamin D3 and K2 benefits for osteoporosis may include:
- Increase of bone mineral density.
- Maximization of the body’s ability to absorb calcium and integrate it into the bones.
- Support of immune system health, among other positive effects.
Those with higher levels of vitamin K tend to have greater bone density. Low vitamin K levels and even vitamin K deficiency is common in osteoporosis patients. Vitamin K2 is more effective than Vitamin K1 for bone health and density.
What Are the Benefits of Using Vitamin D3 with K2?
Here are a few of the most notable and productive vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 benefits:
Improves Bone Health
Studies have demonstrated that vitamin K2 is one of the best vitamins anyone can take for bone strength and health. In particular, one three-year study found that a low dosage (180 micrograms, equivalent to 0.18 milligrams) of vitamin K2 significantly decreased the age-related decline in bone mineral density and bone mineral content in the spine and the femoral neck (the region directly below the ball of the hip joint). In addition, this vitamin K2 supplementation increased bone strength in the femoral neck and reduced height loss in the lower thoracic vertebra.
Maximizes Calcium Absorption and Integration
Taking vitamin K2 and calcium together maximizes the body’s ability to absorb and integrate calcium into the bones. This is because the body requires a protein called osteocalcin to bind calcium in the bone matrix, and osteocalcin depends on adequate vitamin K2 levels to function correctly.
Reduces Calcium Plaque in Arteries
Taking high doses of calcium may cause calcium to build up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart issues. Supplementing with vitamin K2 has been shown to lower blood levels of calcium, reducing calcium buildup in arteries, and activating the osteocalcin protein so that calcium can instead make its way to the bones.
Regulates Healthy Blood Clotting
Vitamin K is required for normal blood clotting, so maintaining adequate levels of vitamin K through supplementation can help regulate healthy blood clotting and wound healing, thereby preventing excessive bleeding.
Supports Healthy Immune System
Vitamin D3 is essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. It supports immune health by regulating the function of immune cells such as T cells and macrophages, regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines (thereby preventing excessive inflammation, which has been linked to autoimmune diseases), and enhancing the production of antimicrobial peptides that kill pathogens such as bacteria and viruses
How Long Does It Take for Vitamin D3 and K2 to Work?
The time that it takes for vitamin D3 and K2 supplementation to show notable health effects varies based on factors such as health status, dosage, and absorption rate. Some individuals may experience general health improvement in a few weeks, while others may take several months to notice an improvement in bone health.
How Much Vitamin K2 Is Needed to Reverse Osteoporosis?
The correct vitamin K2 dosage depends on which subtype of vitamin K2 is being discussed: vitamin K2 MK7 (AKA menaquinone-7) or vitamin K2 MK4 (AKA menaquinone-4 or menatetrenone).
Recent research studies use a daily dosage of 150 to 180 micrograms of MK7, while Japanese health authorities recommend a daily dose of 45mg of MK4 (most other countries don’t provide specific recommendations).
Who Should Not Take Vitamin K2?
Although vitamin K is one of the best vitamins for support of bone health, and taking vitamin K at the correct dose does not typically cause severe side effects, some people should avoid supplementing with vitamin K2.
Since vitamin K can cross the placenta and make its way into breast milk, pregnant women should consult with their doctors before taking vitamin K2 supplements. In addition, those with Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, an uncommon metabolic condition, should not take vitamin K, nor should those who take the blood thinner warfarin (also known as Coumadin).
Always speak with your physician to ensure that vitamin K2 is safe and beneficial for your health before taking it in supplement form.
Who Can Benefit Most from Vitamin D3 + K2?
The following groups are likely to benefit the most from supplementing with a combination of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2:
Post-menopausal women
Menopause-associated hormonal changes, such as declining estrogen, contribute to loss of bone density and reduced bone strength in post-menopausal women. As previously mentioned, vitamin K2 supplementation improves bone health and is therefore particularly beneficial for this group of women.
Aging and elderly people
Maintaining moderate to high levels of vitamin K has been shown to protect against age-related illnesses such as heart disease, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis. This is because vitamin K helps to fight oxidative stress, blocking the generation of reactive oxygen species that contribute to the development and progression of these age-related diseases.
Best Supplement for Osteoporosis
Although there are many supplements designed to improve bone health, Inner Thera’s Osteo Plus is the finest supplement for both bone health and density as well as the best osteoporosis supplement on the market.
Osteo Plus
Based on the latest research on vitamin supplementation and bone density, Inner Thera’s Osteo Plus was created to support bone health and overall mobility, flexibility, and comfort. Supplementing with Osteo Plus is the ideal way to get your daily dose of anti-osteoporosis vitamin D3 and vitamin K2, along with additional ingredients that may reduce bone loss and increase bone density.
The form of vitamin D3 found in Osteo Plus is plant-based, supplying 313 percent of the recommended levels of daily vitamin D to facilitate calcium absorption while helping to reduce joint pain. Osteo Plus also contains K2Vital® Delta, a patented form of Vitamin K2 that is the most stable and effective. To make sure that the supplement’s 180 mcg dose of vitamin K2 survives the gut, and doesn’t degrade in combination with minerals, it has also been double coated.
In addition to vitamin D3 and K2, Osteo Plus includes Bonolive®, a highly bioavailable form of bone-building olive leaf extract derived from Mediterranean olive leaves. Studies have demonstrated that Bonolive® can increase the activity of osteoblasts, which are the cells that form new bone and heal existing bone. Taking olive leaf extract may also help to improve calcium absorption as well as reduce joint pain.
Finally, each dose of Osteo Plus also contains 300 mg of Albion® calcium malate, in which two calcium molecules are bound to one molecule of malic acid. This unique structure makes calcium malate easier for the body to absorb and utilize than other types of calcium.