Taking vitamin D3 is recommended everywhere these days. And rightly so. It is one of the most important vitamins we need and, in winter, almost essential to take. The vast majority of people are deficient in this powerful vitamin D3. Unfortunately, what hardly anyone knows is how important vitamin K2 is in combination with D3 intake. Taking vitamin D3 without K2 is almost pointless and can even lead to unpleasant health risks...
What does vitamin D3 do exactly?
In the Netherlands, we are blessed with a beautiful variety of four seasons. Unfortunately, this also brings with it disadvantages, such as a shortage of essential substances for our body. The most important deficiency in the autumn and winter months is vitamin D. Our body produces 90% of its vitamin D in our skin through exposure to sunlight. In order to produce sufficient vitamin D, it is therefore important to be sufficiently exposed to sunlight, because it cannot be obtained from food. Because of the seasons, but also because of our lifestyle, which is more and more indoors nowadays, we often have a shortage of sunlight and therefore of vitamin D.
A deficiency can have unpleasant consequences for our health. Vitamin D plays a role in many functions in our body. For example, it contributes to the renewal of our cells and has a positive influence on our immune system. Vitamin D is also very important for maintaining strong teeth and bones. This is because vitamin D is responsible in the body for the absorption of calcium that we get through our diet. Vitamin D is responsible for the absorption from the intestines into the bloodstream so that calcium can be transported through the body.
All of this makes vitamin D an essential substance to take in enough of on a daily basis. So it's not surprising that vitamin D is often taken extra, especially during the short and cold winter days. Unfortunately, supplementation does not always have the desired effect. The main reason for this is that insufficient attention is paid to the role of another essential substance in the process: vitamin K2.
Vitamin D3 useless without vitamin K2
The main function of vitamin D3 - to absorb calcium from the gut into the bloodstream - is totally ineffective without vitamin K2. This is because the main function of K2 is to transport calcium around the body to places that need it, such as bones and teeth. Without vitamin K2, the calcium absorbed by vitamin D3 moves around the body or accumulates in the blood vessels. This can cause arteriosclerosis and calcium to accumulate in unwanted places in the body.
If the calcium gets into your kidneys, for example, it can lead to kidney stones. If it gets into your arteries, it can lead to heart disease. This is also where the rumour originates that vitamin D3 can possibly lead to heart problems. However, the cause of this is a deficiency of K2. This means that the calcium is not transported to where it is needed, but instead accumulates where it is not needed.
Difficulty in taking vitamin K2
Vitamin D3 intake would not cause any problems if there is enough vitamin K2 in our bodies. Unfortunately, many people appear to have a shortage of K2. Reason is that it can only be obtained in two ways:
Via vitamin K1 - The easiest way to get vitamin K2 is through its little brother vitamin K1. This K1 can be found in foods such as cabbage, spinach, turnip greens, kale and dark green lettuce. After ingestion of K1, it is converted in our intestines to vitamin K2 by a specific bacterium. Therein lies the problem: very few people have healthy intestinal flora in which this bacterium can be found. This makes it impossible for most people to convert K1 to K2.
Dietary - Vitamin K2 can also be obtained from food. It is found in Natto, a fermented soya bean from Japan, which is difficult to obtain in the Netherlands. K2 is also found in fermented milk products, such as brie. However, there is a problem with this. Animals get K2 in the same way as humans, by converting K1 (found in grass) to K2 in the intestines. As you can see, the animal products must come from animals that only eat fresh grass and have a very good intestinal flora (no antibiotics) so that they can convert K1 to K2. This is not very easy to find.
Getting enough vitamin K2 is therefore not always easy. It is important to pay attention to this in any case. When taking D3 as a supplement, it is advisable to do so in combination with vitamin K2. That way you get both vitamins at the same time and vitamin K2 directly supports the functions of vitamin D3.
These are the forms of vitamin D3 and K2 that we support
D3+K2 Daylight Concentrate from Surthrival
We are big fans of the vitamin D3+K2 combination from Surthrival because, unlike many other D3+K2 supplements, everything has been extracted from natural ingredients. Each dose of D3+K2 from Surthrival contains 4833 IU of D3 and 63mcg of K2. The K2 is extracted from the Natto bean just discussed and this formula also contains supporting oils (olive oil and peppermint oil) to increase the absorption of vitamin D3. As a result, it also tastes delicious. Highly recommended for everyone!
Vitamin D3+K2 Spray from MaryRuth Organics
If you want a lower dose of vitamin D3 and K2, this Vitamin D3+K2 Spray is a good choice. It contains per dose 20mcg vitamin D3 and 80mcg vitamin K2. The D3 in this product comes from wildcrafted and vegan lichen and the K2 from the natto bean. With a subtle flavour of olive oil, this product has a fine taste and good absorption.
Liposomal D3 K2 Magnesium from Morgen is Nu
Prefer not to take a liquid product, but capsules? Then our own Liposomal D3 K2 Magnesium is a good choice. It contains per dose 18mcg vitamin D3 and 60mcg vitamin K2. The D3 in this product comes from lichen and the K2 from natto bean. Furthermore, magnesium has been added to this product so that the mineral balance remains in order. When vitamin D3 absorbs calcium, it also absorbs magnesium. This makes it a complete product that is also very easy to absorb thanks to its liposomal form.
Vitamin D3 + K2 + CoQ10 from Cymbiotika This Vitamin D3 + K2 + CoQ10 from Cymbiotika contains a unique combination of vitamins. These have been processed into a liquid liposomal product. This guarantees a high bioavailability and also ensures easy intake. Cymbiotika has added the two main forms of vitamin K2 (MK-4 & MK-7) in addition to D3. These are known as the most bioavailable, longest lasting and bioactive forms. For an even broader effect, selenium and CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) have also been added.
About Morgen is NU Morgen is Nu has grown in recent years from a one-man business to a fully-fledged company. Not only have we attracted external staff, but more family members are also actively involved in the company on a daily basis. This growth has also strengthened cooperation with our suppliers. Because of these developments, Co's mission to make the healthiest products in the world available in the Netherlands has been actively pursued to this day.
With Gratitude,
Gabriela Ana
Holistic Health Coach
amazing!