Vitamin supplementation is a complex topic. Each vitamin in your body has specific functions. It’s important to understand how each of them interacts with others to become as effective as possible. Vitamin D supplements have numerous benefits for users. Just like most things, excess calcium in your body can lead to serious side effect
According to medical experts, excess calcium can interrupt normal cardiac and renal functioning. The medical condition is known as “metastatic calcium.” Vitamin K helps in the activation of proteins in the body, which prevents the creation of the condition by the Vitamin D3 taken as supplements.
Therefore, vitamin K makes vitamin D more effective and safer. Vitamin D helps in increasing the production of vitamin K-dependent proteins, which require vitamin K for carboxylation. Several studies have established the health impact of the two vitamins, especially in relation to bone and cardiovascular health.
Previous studies have shown that optimal levels of vitamin D and vitamin K are beneficial for the bones and the cardiovascular system. Some clinical trials have focused on vitamin D and K supplementation with bone health in postmenopausal women. Others studied supplementation with cardiovascular-related issues.
Some research findings show that joint supplementation of the two vitamins may be more effective than when taking either alone for bone and cardiovascular health. The vitamins work together to ensure the proper distribution of calcium in the body. While vitamin D plays a crucial role in stabilizing calcium levels, vitamin K facilitates the distribution of the minerals to the bones.
According to statistics from the World Health Organization, cardiovascular health issues affect many people across the world and are major causes of death. Bone health problems are less often associated with deaths but are common among older people. Cardiovascular risks are also high among the older population.
Some scientists have pointed out that vitamins D and K can only interact appropriately if they’re present in combination and the right amount. Many people prefer taking supplements to boost vitamin levels in their bodies. Currently, there’s limited information on the consequences of low-dose vitamin supplements.
In another study, experts found out that older adults with low levels of vitamins D and K were at a higher risk of experiencing high blood pressure. After following up participants after six years, scientists found that over 60% of those with insufficient vitamins had suffered from hypertension.
Individuals with low levels of both vitamins suffer from increased systolic blood pressure compared to the group with higher levels. The research team concluded that low levels of the two vitamins increased the risk of medical conditions.
Both vitamins are fat-soluble, and the best way to take them is through an oil-based delivery system. Researchers have continued to discover more benefits of the combination of vitamins D and K. This gives you more reasons to consume healthy diets.
Sources and Benefits of Vitamin D
There are numerous sources of vitamins. The easiest way of boosting the level of vitamin D in the body is by getting sufficient sunlight. Other than taking supplements, some foods are rich in vitamin D, including:
- Cheese
- Egg yolks
- Beef liver
- Mushrooms
One of the health benefits of vitamins is that you’ll get stronger bones. Vitamin D helps to regulate the level of calcium and phosphorous in your body, and this leads to healthy bones. It also allows the intestines to absorb calcium in the blood.
In children, the deficiency of the vitamin leads to rickets due to the softening of the bones. For adults, vitamin D deficiency causes osteomalacia, which leads to poor bone density and muscular weakness.
With sufficient vitamin D, the risk of getting flu is low. Some researchers have argued that the vitamin had a protective effect against the influenza virus. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to high blood pressure among children. In 2018, some scientists revealed that there was a possible connection between low vitamin D levels and stiffness in arterial walls among infants.
According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, there’s a connection between low exposure to vitamin D and high risks of allergic sensitization. This explains why there’re lower rates of hospitalization among children living closer to the equator. Such kids are also less likely to suffer from a peanut allergy.
Some experts conducted a study in Australia to evaluate the impact of taking eggs among children. According to its findings, children who started consuming eggs after 6 months were at higher risks of suffering from food allergies than those that had started between 4-6 months.
Another major benefit of vitamin D supplements is that they enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids. This makes it a useful therapy solution for asthma treatment. Vitamin D supplements are also recommended to ensure healthy pregnancies. Low levels of the vitamins are associated with bacterial vaginosis among pregnant women.
Sources and Benefits of Vitamin K
Vitamin K is known to play a vital role in bone health and the blood clotting process. Medical researchers have revealed that it helps to produce proteins needed for blood clotting. It helps to increase bone mineral density and to decrease the risk of fractures.
The chances of breaking hips among women are low if they’ve had adequate vitamin K levels in their bodies. Some medical professionals also believe the vitamins may offer protection against medical conditions such as heart disease, prostate cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Incidents of low vitamin K levels are rare in the United States.
If a person is suffering from a deficiency, they’re unable to absorb vitamin K, which is made naturally in the intestinal tract. Supplements can help boost the levels of your body. Low vitamin K levels can also lead to excessive bleeding from the nose or gums. Other symptoms of vitamin K deficiency include blood in urine and easy bruising.
If you have low levels of the vitamin, you can consume foods such as green leafy vegetables such as kale, collards, spinach, and parsley or vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels, and cabbages.
