Vitamins K1 & K2 Reduce Diabetes Risk
A study found that higher intakes of phylloquinone and menaquinone (also known as Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2) reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The research covered a 10-year period and observed that those with the highest intake of phylloquinone had a 19% lower risk of diabetes compared to those with the lowest intake. To a lesser extent, menaquinone was linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes which was further reduced with greater intake of menaquinone. Dietary deficiencies of vitamin K are rare; however, deficiencies are more common in those with liver disease, cystic fibrosis and inflammatory bowel diseases and are linked to long-term aspirin use.
Phylloquinone, or vitamin K1, is found chiefly in leafy green vegetables such as spinach, Swiss chard and brassica (vegetables such as cabbage, kale, cauliflower, broccoli and Brussels sprouts). Some fruits such as avocado and kiwi are also high in vitamin K1. Menaquinone, or vitamin K2, is found in meat, eggs, dairy and natto (fermented soybeans). The study will be published in the August 2010 issue of the journal, Diabetes Care. It is now available online at http://bit.ly/aq90QB.
Bone Health: Are Calcium & Vitamin D Enough?
“The WHI CaD” study is the largest randomized clinical trial conducted on calcium supplementation in post-menopausal women. It followed over 36,000 women for ~7 years. Half of the women took 1,000 mg of Calcium and 400 IU of Vitamin D; the other half took a placebo.
RESULTS: Women taking placebos had a hip fracture rate of 14/10,000. Women taking calcium and vitamin D had a hip fracture rate of 10/10,000. While the trend is favorable, the message of the study is that calcium and vitamin D are not enough, according to Dr. Joel Finkelstein, an osteoporosis researcher at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “It is a good start, but women at higher risk need to know it is not enough.”
Dr. Joel Finkelstein:
“With widespread marketing calcium & vitamin D, many women believe that they are completely protected against the development of osteoporosis if they are taking these supplements. This study should help correct this important misconception and allow more women to receive optimal therapy for bone health.”
Finkelstein, JS. Calcium plus Vitamin D for post menopausal women – Bone Appetit? N Engl J Med 2006: 354; 750-752.
Suggestions for Optimal Bone Health
The Importance of Natural Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
Researchers investigated why women in the Eastern part of Japan had much lower incidence of hip fracture vs. women who lived in other parts of Japan. It came down to a Japanese traditional food consumed only in the region where women had very low incidence of hip fracture – a marker in medicine for bone density.
Natto.
Natto is a traditional Japanese fermented soybean dish commonly consumed in Eastern Japan. Natto is a fermented, soybean cheese-like dish that has a very strong amoniacal smell with a gluey texture and spiderweb-like strings when you stir it. So what does Natto have to do with bone density?
Vitamin K2, specifically, Menaquinone 7 (MK-7)
Researchers report Natto contains natural Vitamin K2, specifically Menaquinone 7 (MK-7) that is linked to stabilization of bone proteins, positively impacting bone density. Not only is Natural Vitamin K2 (specifically MK-7) important for healthy bones, scientists discovered that MK-7 supports cardiovascular health as well. The growing body of Vitamin K2 research indicates that it is a very promising nutrient for supporting healthy bone density.
For more information on nutrients that support bone density, click here to read about Osteo K-2.