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Strong correlations have been noted between cardiovascular diseases and low bone density / osteoporosis-connections so strong that the presence of one type of pathology is considered a likely predictor of the other. This potentially causal relationship has led to the hypothesis that these conditions share core mechanisms. Recent advances in our understanding of the complimentary roles played by vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 in vascular and bone health provide support for this hypothesis, along with insight into key metabolic dysfunctions underlying cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Part I of this review summarizes current research linking vitamin D deficiency to cardiovascular disease, the physiological mechanisms underlying vitamin D's cardiovascular effects, and leading vitamin D researchers' recommendations for significantly higher supplemental doses of the pro-hormone. Part II reviews the vitamin K connection to cardiovascular disease; the ways in which vitamin D and vitamin K pair up to prevent inflammation, vascular calcification and osteoporosis; and the necessity of providing vitamin K along with vitamin D to preclude adverse effects associated with hypervitaminosis D, which include vascular and other soft tissue calcification.

Strong correlations have been noted between cardiovascular diseases and low bone density / osteoporosis-connections so strong that the presence of one is considered a likely predictor of the other. This relationship has led to the hypothesis that these conditions share core pathophysiological mechanisms. Recent advances in our understanding of the complimentary roles played by vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 in vascular and bone health provide support for this hypothesis, along with insight into key metabolic dysfunctions underlying cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Part II, The Vitamin K Connection to Cardiovascular Health, reviews the ways in which vitamin K regulates calcium utlization, preventing vascular and soft tissue calcification while complimenting the bone-building actions of vitamin D, and also discusses vitamin K safety and dosage issues, and the necessity of providing vitamin K and vitamin A along with vitamin D to preclude adverse effects associated with hypervitaminosis D.

Vitamin K has been known as the coagulation vitamin, because of its role in the blood-clotting process. However, research over the last few decades has shown that the role of K Vitamins - and natural Vitamin K2, the menaquinones, in particular - has been greatly expanded. Of note, K Vitamins activity outside the liver is required for calcium utilization, the key factor in maintaining both bone and cardiovascular health.\n\nVitamin K2 helps to activate vitamin K-dependent proteins responsible for healthy tissues. In bone, it activates osteocalcin, a protein required to bind calcium to the mineral matrix, thus strengthening the skeleton. In circulation, Vitamin K2 participates in carboxylation of Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), the most potent inhibitor of arterial calcification known, lowering the risk of vascular damage.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. The "K" is derived from the German word "koagulation." Coagulation refers to the process of blood clot formation. Vitamin K is essential for the functioning of several proteins involved in blood clotting (1). There are two naturally occurring forms of vitamin K

Vitamin K-containing dietary supplements: comparison of synthetic vitamin K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7.\nSchurgers LJ, Teunissen KJ, Hamulyák K, Knapen MH, Vik H, Vermeer C.\nBlood. 2007 Apr 15;109(8):3279-83. Epub 2006 Dec 7.\nPMID: 17158229 \nDOI 10.1182/blood-2006-08-040709\n

Increased intakes of vitamin K2, but not vitamin K1, may decrease the risk of coronary heart disease in postmenopausal women, says a new study.\nFor every 10 microgram increase in the amount of vitamin K2 consumed, researchers from the Netherlands report a 9 per cent reduction in the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD).

Vitamin K2 is emerging as an exciting player in the control and possible regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque. Only about 10% of dietary vitamin K intake is in the K2 form, the other 90% being the more common K1.

A study recently published by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) has revealed that increased intake of vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 35 percent. The authors point out that the benefits of K2 were most pronounced for advanced prostate cancer, and, importantly, that vitamin K1 did not offer any prostate benefits.

The vitamin K dependant protein osteocalcin may have a positive effect on reducing obesity and diabetes, suggests a new study with mice.\nResearchers writing in the journal Cells studied the effect bone cells have in energy regulation, and found that osteocalcin plays a key role in regulating insulin activity.

Dietary intake of vitamin K and risk of prostate cancer in the Heidelberg cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Heidelberg).\nNimptsch K, Rohrmann S, Linseisen J.\nAm J Clin Nutr. 2008 Apr;87(4):985-92.\nPMID: 18400723

Vitamin K in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis and arterial calcification.\nAdams J, Pepping J.\nAm J Health Syst Pharm. 2005 Aug 1;62(15):1574-81. Review.\nPMID: 16030366

LYSAKER, Norway, April 11, 2008-An increased intake of vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 35 per cent, suggest results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). The findings, based on dietary intake from 11,319 men taking part in the EPIC Heidelberg cohort, are published in this month's issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

nightsurfer's vitamin K2 related Diigo list

Review: vitamin D, immunity and lupus. Cutolo M, Otsa K. Lupus. 2008;17(1):6-10. Review. PMID: 18089676 DOI: 10.1177/0961203307085879

Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise H, Tsukamoto Y, Urano T, Umemura K. Nutrition. 2003 Mar;19(3):261-4. PMID: 12620531

Promotion of bone formation by fermented soybean (Natto) intake in premenopausal women.\nKatsuyama H, Ideguchi S, Fukunaga M, Fukunaga T, Saijoh K, Sunami S.\nJ Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2004 Apr;50(2):114-20.\nPMID: 15242015

Quantitative measurement of tetrahydromenaquinone-9 in cheese fermented by propionibacteria.\nHojo K, Watanabe R, Mori T, Taketomo N.\nJ Dairy Sci. 2007 Sep;90(9):4078-83.\nPMID: 17699024 \ndoi:10.3168/jds.2006-892\n

High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification.\nBeulens JW, Bots ML, Atsma F, Bartelink ML, Prokop M, Geleijnse JM, Witteman JC, Grobbee DE, van der Schouw YT.\nAtherosclerosis. 2008 Jul 19. [Epub ahead of print]\nPMID: 18722618 \ndoi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.07.010 \n