Vitamins K2 and D3 are the pillars of natural anti-aging medicine

There has been a lot of talk about vitamin D in recent months. Recent research has shown that vitamin D deficiency plays a major role in the occurrence of at least 17 types of cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, birth defects, periodontal disease, and the list goes on. These latest findings are of concern to all of us, as at least 50% of adults over 50 years of age worldwide suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and this deficiency also affects a significant proportion of young adults and children.

Sources and forms of vitamin D

The most important contribution is made at the level of the skin. Under the action of sunlight, the body makes cholecalciferol or Vitamin D3. Vitamin D also comes from the diet in two forms: ergocalciferol or Vitamin D2 which is found in plants and cholecalciferol which comes from animal products. It is found in a limited number of foods: fatty sea fish, cod liver oil, egg yolk, and a little less in offal, pâtés, mushrooms... The different forms of vitamin D are transported and metabolized to the liver into calcidiol or 25(OH)D3, and then to the kidney where it will take its active form, calcitriol or 1-25(OH)²D3 which generates the majority of the beneficial effects.

The incredible properties of vitamin D

Research in recent years has significantly changed our knowledge of vitamin D. It can no longer be considered only necessary for the prevention of rickets and osteomalacia. Its role in the prevention of osteoporosis and humeral neck fractures (in association with calcium pidolate) in the elderly is now well established.

However, the benefits of vitamin D go far beyond the health of our skeletal system. Exciting clinical and epidemiological studies confirm the existence of very original and sometimes unexpected extra-osseous effects.

Vitamin D reduces mortality: Several studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency increases mortality from cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type II diabetes, the conditions that cause about 70% of deaths in civilized countries. Dobnig H et al. Independent association of low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dyhydroxyvitamin D levels with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168(12):1340-1349

Vitamin D and the immune system: Several studies have proven that vitamin D plays an immune role and protects the body from infections. This is why people who are deficient in vitamin D will suffer more frequently from colds and flu in winter. In addition to its immunostimulant action, vitamin D also has an immunomodulatory action which explains its favorable action in diseases with an inflammatory or autoimmune component. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E.

Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. Epub 2006 Sep 7. Review.

Vitamin D and cancer: Several researchers say that in addition to helping prevent several forms of cancersVitamin D may also help people who already have the disease by slowing its progression. Garland CF, Garland FC, et al. The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention.Am J Public Health. 2005 Dec 27. Full text: www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov

Vitamin D and the heart: A deficiency in vitamin DEven moderate levels of cardiovascular disease may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. People who are vitamin D deficient are twice as likely to develop heart attack, heart failure or stroke compared to those with high vitamin D levels. Zittermann A, Schleithoff SS, Koerfer R. Putting cardiovascular disease and vitamin D insufficiency into perspective.Br J Nutr. 2005 Oct;94(4):483-92.

Vitamin D and Memory: Several studies indicate that men with the lowest levels of vitamin D are also those whose intellectual abilities decline the most as they age. A team of researchers at the University of Los Angeles have found that vitamin D and curcumin, a chemical found in turmeric, may be useful in preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease. Llewellyn DJ et al "Vitamin D and risk of cognitive decline in elderly persons" Arch Intern Med 2010; 170(13): 1135-1141.

Vitamin D and muscle tone : in addition to its favorable action on the osteoarticular system, vitamin D increases muscle strength. A recent study conducted in a nursing home among seniors supplemented with vitamin D showed a 22% reduction in falls among residents. Bischoff H.A. et al, Effects of vitamin D on falls: a meta-analysis, JAMA, 2004 Apr 28, 291(16): 1999-2006.

Am I vitamin D deficient?

Vitamin D deficiency is very common in the northern hemisphere and in the elderly (from the age of 35, the skin's ability to produce Vitamin D when exposed to the sun decreases). During the winter period, it is estimated that about 80% of the French population lacks vitamin D.

The only way to know for sure is to take a blood test to measure the level of calcidiol or 25(OH)D3, which should be above 50 ng/ml (nanograms per millilitre) all year round in both children and adults. Ideally, your result should be around 60-80 ng/ml as this allows the body to have some vitamin D in reserve. Attention, most laboratories indicate a normal value from 30 ng/ml which is insufficient. Some laboratories use a different unit, namely nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) rather than nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). To convert nmol/L to ng/mL, divide by 2.5 (e.g. 125 nmol/L = 50 ng/mL).

Vitamin K2: strong bones and clean blood vessels

Vitamin K exists in two forms. Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is of plant origin and is found in our diet, mainly green vegetables, some vegetable oils (rapeseed or soybean), and the yolk of the egg. It is involved in the phenomena of blood coagulation.
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is mainly manufactured by our own body and more particularly at the level of the intestine by the bacteria (E-Coli) of our intestinal flora. It can also be found in food, namely in fish oils, yogurt, cheese, milk and liver.

Vitamin K2 fixes calcium in the right place!

Physiologically, calcium deposits only occur in two places: the bones and the teeth. Unfortunately, with age, abnormal deposits of calcium attach themselves to certain tissues such as the inner wall of our arteries, this is the phenomenon of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). As we age, we lose our ability to regulate the calcium balance, which is even done in the wrong direction since the calcium leaves the bones (osteoporosis) to settle in the arteries (arteriosclerosis). Vitamin K2 helps regulate calcium balance by keeping calcium in the bones rather than in the arteries. Better still, the latest research indicates that vitamin K2 even allows the phenomenon of arterial calcification to be reversed, which makes it the only currently known treatment for arteriosclerosis.

Vitamin K2: the anti-aging vitamin

As we age, calcium deposits tend to build up in the soft tissues of our bodies. Doctors performing autopsies on the elderly note the loss of flexibility in some tissues that look more like stone. Many age-related diseases can be attributed to tissue calcification such as kidney stones, arthritis, cataracts, heart valve failure, bone fractures, wrinkled skin, senility and, of course, arteriosclerosis of the vascular system. Restoring optimal vitamin K2 status helps protect against all of these conditions, and it's no wonder that many researchers consider this vitamin to be one of the most important anti-aging nutrients. Recently, a group of European experts has pronounced on the interest of supplementing our population with a nutritional supplement containing 100 to 150 μg of vitamin K2.

European regulations totally unsuited to the needs of patients

The new European regulation for nutritional supplements allows 150 μg of vitamin K2 and 300 IU of vitamin D per day. These standards are correct for vitamin K2 but totally insufficient for vitamin D. Based on the latest research, it can be considered that an adult living in the Northern Hemisphere should take a supplement of 2000 IU of vitamin D per day from October to March and even all year round for people with little sun exposure.

I am therefore obliged to juggle with 2 products to effectively correct the deficiencies of my patients according to their blood results in vitamin D (see table below)