Vitamin K And Vascular Calcification

Your vitamin K status affects calcium metabolism and cardiovascular calcification. Low levels of vitamin K can lead to a deficiency and have been associated with increased calcium in soft tissue such as arteries, resulting in vascular calcification. A clinical trial showed that dietary intake of different forms of vitamin K can significantly reduce vascular calcification and stiffness by supporting proteins involved in calcium metabolism, such as K-dependent matrix GLA protein. Emerging research shows how vitamin K can support a healthy vitamin K status and protect against vascular calcification. William Faloon Healthy arteries expand and contract smoothly with each heartbeat. With age, soft tissues such as arteries stiffen and lose youthful flexibility. The phrase "hardening of the arteries" describes loss of arterial elasticity and obstructed blood flow. This "hardening" is an important predictor of heart attack and stroke.1-3 In severe cases, the aortic artery becomes so stiff and b...