Lately, scientific popularization has often emphasized the importance of vitamin D for our body. Not only because vitamin D actually plays a vital role in several processes, but also because it is difficult to find. There are few foods that contain it, so we need to replenish it through sunlight or supplements. However, we rarely hear about another vital vitamin, which is vitamin K. Strong bones and healthy arteries depend on this vitamin as important as vitamin D for our body, although it is often overlooked. This molecule, easier to take in through food, is essential in carrying out various vital functions, on which our health depends.
Strong bones and healthy arteries depend on this vitamin as important as vitamin D
The experts of the Veronesi Foundation specify the importance of vitamin K. In an in-depth study, the nutrition biologist Elena Dogliotti sheds light on the role of vitamin K, often synergistic with that of vitamin D.
When we talk about vitamin K in general we are not talking about a single molecule, but rather a family of molecules, each with its own peculiarity. Many of these molecules play an essential part in the rebalancing of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the substances on which bone remodeling depends. In particular, osteoblasts, cells that literally rebuild skeletal tissue, produce osteocalcin, on which bone mineralization depends. But osteocalcin has no effect unless activated by vitamin K.
Vitamin K’s role is not limited to keeping our bones healthy. It is also essential for blood clotting and for balancing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, vitamin K2 (one of the molecules that make up the K family) ensures the elasticity of the blood vessel walls. It does this by activating a protein, which prevents the accumulation of calcium in the vessels and thus reduces the risk of obstruction.
In which foods we find it
Being composed of various molecules, we can find vitamin K in different types of food. K1, for example, is mainly present in foods of plant origin, such as algae and green leafy vegetables. K2, on the other hand, is present in foods of animal origin: meat, cheese, eggs and fermented foods in general. If our diet is low in vitamin K, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases. For this reason, calcium supplements often also have vitamin K: because it helps its absorption, guaranteeing arterial flexibility.
Deepening
Burning in the tongue and inflamed mouth can indicate a worrying deficiency of this essential vitamin