Why Vitamin K2 is So Important for Your Kids
Great new for parents who buy Kids Potential …
We added Natural Dairy & Casein-Free Vitamin K2, as MK-7, to Kids Potential for healthy bone density to help them develop healthy, strong bones beginning early in life. Here is a re-post of relevant scientific research that gives you some idea of why Vitamin K2 is an important nutrient for your growing children.
Learn more here: Kids Potential and www.mykidspotential.com.
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Findings of a new study published in British Journal of Nutrition 2009 by van Summeren and colleagues demonstrated that even modest supplementation with menaquinone-7 in children increases activation of osteocalcin, the bone-building protein; and in that way supports healthy bone growth and development. This is an important finding as the greater bone mineral established during childhood and early adult years, culminating in peak bone mineral density around 30 years of age, allows for better maintenance of bone health as we age and lose bone mass.
The present study is a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study examining the effect of 45 mcg natural vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) on the circulating levels of the vitamin K-dependent protein Osteocalcin. Active osteocalcin is required for bone-building cells (osteoblasts) to optimally utilize calcium for building and maintaining a healthy bone matrix. 8 weeks of supplementation in healthy prepubertal children increased blood levels of vitamin K2 as MK-7 and significantly increased the amount of active osteocalcin.
According to Professor Cees Vermeer at the VitaK research center, “Non-supplemented people are generally insufficient in vitamin K. It has been demonstrated that children are far more vitamin K deficient than adults. We explain this by the rapid growth of their bones and consequently the high vitamin K demand by the bones for the production of osteocalcin. The present study is the first one to demonstrate that increased vitamin K intake by supplement improves the osteocalcin activity in children. The next step must be that also an effect of MK-7 on bone strength or fracture risk is demonstrated in this age group. There is a growing awareness that maximizing bone strength at childhood is an important strategy to prevent osteoporosis at later age.”
Osteocalcin – the potent protein
Osteocalcin is a protein responsible for utilization of calcium within bone tissue – it has the ability to bind calcium to the matrix of bones, which makes them stronger and less susceptible to fractures. Without sufficient amounts of vitamin K in the diet, or in cases of Vitamin K deficiency, inactive osteocalcin is not able to bind calcium properly, and thus the bones weaken and become fragile.
Strong bones – best investment for the future
Children have the greatest requirement for active osteocalcin and thus for K vitamins because bone tissue grows and develops most intensively during childhood and adolescence. The higher peak mass young bones achieve, the lower the risk of osteoporotic changes in the elderly. Hence, the optimal pubertal status of bone is important to prevent disorders in later life.
Benefits scientifically proven
Results of the new study clearly confirm outcomes of previous laboratory experiments, population-based (i.e., epidemiological) studies and clinical trials that have tightly linked better vitamin K status in children to the achievement of a healthy, strong bone-structure. Simplified, improving vitamin K status in children results in stronger and denser bones. Additional K vitamins intake might also improve bone geometry and positively influence gain in bone mass. That contributing effect has been recently reported by O’Connor et al , who, while conducting a study in a cohort of 223 healthy girls (11-12 years old), found better K vitamin status related to higher bone mineral density.
Warfarin, a commonly prescribed blood-thinning medication, inhibits vitamin K activity. A study of children with long-standing vitamin K deficiency induced by this drug were shown to have a significantly reduced bone mass, which illustrates the potential consequences of K vitamins deficiency in growing bones.
Exciting New Improvements to Patented Kids Potential
This week we’re finishing production of our latest improvements to Kids Potential and we wanted you to be the first to know.
Awarded Patent
In addition to the enhancements listed below, Kids Potential has been awarded the very first patent ever for “a Nutritional Supplement to Enhance Learning Academic & Behavioral Performance” patent #7,771,756.
Improvements
We’re pleased to present these improvements (at no additional charge) to Kids Potential – for Learning & Academic Performance:
All Natural Sweeteners: We’ve replaced the trace amount of sucralose with high purity natural stevia leaf extract for a delicious natural sweetness that livens the natural berries in Kids Potential. The taste is better than ever!
Natural Vitamin K-2 for Healthy Bones: We included an additional important form of Vitamin K called Vitamin K-2 at the dose recommended by published clinical trials in children to support healthy bones. Latest research concludes that healthy bone density later in life begins in childhood. Between the Vitamin K-1 & Vitamin K-2 in Kids Potential, your child will receive 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin K in two forms.
Complies with the New RDA for Vitamin D-3: We’ve increased the Vitamin D-3 content from 400 IU to 600 IUs because the Institute of Medicine has just officially revised the RDA from 400 IU to 600 IU. This is a brand new recommendation, so we’re one of the very first to increase the Vitamin D content in a kids dietary supplement. We believe it is important to stay current with the scientific research which shows that we simply need more Vitamin D in our diet.
Additional Fruits & Berries: We’ve augmented our fruit blend to to include pomegranate, blackberry and Patagonian Maqui berry, as part of our comprehensive Polyphenol/Anthoflavone Complex which already includes: grape, citrus, decaffeinated green tea, blueberry, dark sweet cherry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry, rose hips, wild bilberry, grape & red Concord grapeskin. We think the new Berry Blast flavor is the very best ever.
Comprehensive Pesticide Testing
Our all natural fruits and berries have been rigorously tested by a comprehensive USP pesticide/agricultural chemical panel at a US reference laboratory. Additionally, it has been tested for heavy metals and microbial contaminants to ensure that Kids Potential provides the cleanest, natural dietary supplementation for your child. To our knowledge, no other kids’ vitamin is as rigorously tested.
What We Don’t Give Your Child
This is our list of “Nos” – ingredients commonly found in mass market kids vitamins that you will never find in Kids Potential:
No Artificial Colors
No Artificial Sweeteners
No Preservatives
No Aspartame
No Acesulfame
No Fructose
No Saccharin
No Sucralose
No Sugar or Sucrose
No Dairy
No Egg
No Salt
No Wheat
No Gluten
No Yeast
No Starch
No Milk
No Lactose
No Corn
No Soy
No Carageenan
No Peanuts
No Tree Nuts
No Caffeine
No Herbal Stimulants
No Animal Products
We believe this is the best tasting Kids Potential ever and think your kids will agree.
Support your child’s academic learning and behavior for only $0.83/day. Click here to replenish your supply of Kids Potential.
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.