February 06, 2023
Medically Reviewed By Elizabeth A. Swick, MS, RDN

Benefits of K2 for Women with Familial Heart Conditions

Heart conditions in women is the number one most common cause of death in the U.S. In fact, one person dies from cardiovascular issues in the U.S. every 34 seconds, and one out of every five deaths among Americans is due to this condition.

The good news is that you can decrease your risk of developing heart disease and lower the likelihood of death if you already have the condition. A combination of lifestyle changes and medications is usually the key, and doctors are increasingly recommending vitamin K2 as a complementary intervention for heart disease. Read on to find out why.

What Is a Heart Condition?

Typically, when people say heart condition, they are often referring to coronary artery disease or CAD. This condition occurs when blood flow to the heart is restricted. This may happen because of any or all the following.

Arterial Calcification

Your blood vessels are meant to be flexible to allow blood to pass through easily. Unfortunately, the arteries don't always remain flexible with age. They can begin to harden due to the presence of calcium deposits. This is known as atherosclerosis, and when it occurs, it can make it more difficult for blood to move through the cardiovascular system and travel in and out of the heart, which can be especially concerning for women taking calcium supplements.

Endothelial Dysfunction

The endothelial cells line the inside of your blood vessels. When they fail to function properly, they can cause the blood vessels to narrow. This can restrict blood flow and reduce or cut off blood flow to the heart.

Arterial Blockages

Blockages in the arteries can make it difficult for blood to freely circulate. Often, blockages are due to fatty deposits called cholesterol that build up inside arteries. Abnormal blood coagulation or clotting can also contribute to blockages.

What Raises the Risk of Heart Problems?

Some risk factors for heart problems include:

Genetics: If you have a family history of heart disease, you're more likely to develop it yourself.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure can lead to endothelial dysfunction and even cause damage to blood vessels.
Diabetes: Women with uncontrolled diabetes may suffer damage to their blood vessels.
Weight: Being overweight or obese can make you more likely to develop heart disease.
Smoking: Smoking has been shown to cause inflammation and contribute to hardening of the arteries.
High LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels: High levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol combined with low levels of HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of fatty deposits forming in your arteries.

What Is Vitamin K2 and What Does It Do?

Vitamin K is one of the two main types of the essential fat-soluble vitamin, vitamin K. The other is vitamin K1, which helps to regulate blood clotting. Vitamin K2's primary function is to activate the osteocalcin protein that helps to build strong bones and teeth.

What Is the Importance of Vitamin K2 for Heart Health?

For heart health, vitamin K2 may lower the likelihood of hardening of the arteries. Calcium deposits are one of the key factors in atherosclerosis. Having an adequate supply of vitamin K2 may help to ensure that calcium is distributed properly in your body so that the mineral ends up in the bones and teeth rather than in the walls of the arteries.

Numerous studies support the benefits of K2 for heart health. One study that followed participants for a decade found that those who got the most vitamin K2 through diet and supplements were 57% less likely to die from coronary artery disease.

Supporting Both Bone and Heart Health Simultaneously

Vitamin K supplements that provide vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of arterial calcification and support bone health by helping to regulate calcium distribution in the body. Adding vitamin D can enhance the bone health benefits of a vitamin K2 supplement. Vitamin D is another essential vitamin, and one of its most important jobs is helping the body absorb and utilize calcium. Often, health care providers recommend that women taking calcium supplements for osteoporosis prevention also take vitamin D.

Body Kitchen Vitamin D + K2 dietary supplement makes it easy to reap the benefits of both vitamin D and K2. Our supplement delivers 180 micrograms of vitamin K2 in the form of widely

researched menaquinone-7 plus 5,000 IUs of vitamin D per serving. Our plant-based, non-GMO supplement is optimized to be highly bioavailable. As a result, our supplement is easier for your body to absorb and utilize, so you can reap more benefits from a lower dose.

If you're concerned about bone health and heart conditions running in your family, talk to your medical provider about whether vitamin D and K2 could benefit you.