Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin that’s essential for good health. It’s involved in blood clotting, bone metabolism, calcium regulation, and heart health.

Vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone, is a form of vitamin K that comes in two distinct forms: MK-4 and MK-7. The most common forms of vitamin K2 consumed      today are MK-4 and MK-7. The difference between MK-4 and MK-7 is that MK-7 has a longer half-life in the body, meaning it stays there longer.

MK-4 is found in animal products like eggs and dairy, while MK-7 is found in fermented foods like natto (fermented soybeans).

Potential health benefits of vitamin k2?

1. Vitamin K2 helps to develop strong bones.

Vitamin K2 is essential for calcium absorption in the gut. It also helps activate osteocalcin, a protein that plays a vital role in bone mineralization. Osteocalcin works with another protein called insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) to deposit calcium into bones.

2. Vitamin K2 may help protect you from heart disease.

Vitamin K2 also helps prevent calcification of arteries and soft tissues by inhibiting vitamin D. Calcification happens when calcium deposits build up on artery walls or soft tissue like cartilage because they aren’t getting enough oxygen or nutrients.

3. Vitamin K2 may be beneficial against cancer.

A new study published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research reveals that vitamin K2 may be beneficial against cancer. Researchers found that women who consumed higher amounts of vitamin K2 had a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who consumed less. The findings suggest that increasing the intake of vitamin K2 may help prevent breast cancer in women.

The researchers looked at the dietary habits of more than 90,000 Japanese women over 11 years. They found that those who consumed the highest vitamin K2 were less likely to develop breast cancer than those who ate the least amount.

Bacteria produce vitamin K2 in your gut. It goes beyond just blood clotting; it also helps regulate cell growth and differentiation, which is essential for preventing cancer development.

4. Vitamin K2 may boost brain function and combat dementia.

A new study suggests that vitamin K2 may increase brain function, combat dementia, and reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The findings, published in the journal Frontiers in Neurology, suggest that vitamin K2 could be an effective treatment option for cognitive decline and dementia. This study found that people with low levels of vitamin K2 were more likely to have lower scores on cognitive tests than those who had high levels of vitamin.

5. Essential for healthy skin and hair

Vitamin K2 has been shown to help maintain healthy skin, hair, and nails by supporting collagen synthesis in the body. This can help prevent wrinkles and slow down the aging process.

6. Vitamin K2 may improve dental health.

Researchers have speculated that vitamin K2 may affect dental health. However, no human studies have tested this directly. Based on animal studies and the role vitamin K2 plays in bone metabolism, it’s reasonable to assume that this nutrient affects dental health.

One of the main regulating proteins in dental health is osteocalcin — the same protein that is critical to bone metabolism and is activated by vitamin K2. Osteocalcin triggers a mechanism that stimulates the growth of new bone and new dentin, which is the calcified tissue underneath the enamel of your teeth.

Vitamins A and D are also believed to play an important role here, working synergistically with vitamin K2.