Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by Balchem, manufacturer of K2VITAL™. Thanks for supporting the brands that make this blog possible.
When it comes to supporting long-term health and athletic performance, Vitamin K2 is an often overlooked yet essential nutrient. This single nutrient plays a critical role in maintaining bone and heart health.
Whether you’re a marathon runner or you run the occasional 5k, Vitamin K2 can help keep your bones healthy and strong to power your performance for years to come.
Let’s break down the benefits of Vitamin K2 for bone health, heart health and athletic performance.
What Is Vitamin K2?
There are two types of Vitamin K: K1 and K2. Vitamin K1 is most well-known for its role in blood clotting. On the other hand, Vitamin K2 MK-7 is the most bioavailable form of Vitamin K. Vitamin K2 directly correlates to bone health.
Vitamin K2 helps direct calcium into your bones and away from your arteries. This calcium regulation makes K2 a key player in both bone structure and heart health.
Vitamin K2 Benefits for Bone Health
Bone health becomes increasingly important with age, especially for women in their 40s and beyond, who lose bone density rapidly after menopause. As an active female runner over the age of 40, bone health is always on my mind.
Here’s how Vitamin K2 supports your bones:
- K2 works with Vitamin D3. Specifically, D3 promotes the production of Vitamin K-dependent proteins. K2 activates these proteins, helping shuttle calcium into bones to keep them strong.
- K2 activates osteocalcin, a crucial protein for bone metabolism.
- K2 MK-7 (the most bioavailable form) supports bone density and helps maintain bone health as we age.
Pro Tip: Not all supplements are created equal. The form of Vitamin K2 MK-7 matters. The optimal form is all-trans MK-7, which is the best form of K2 MK-7 that activates those critical vitamin K-dependent proteins Look for the K2VITAL™ brand on the label to ensure you’re getting the most bioactive and pure form of Vitamin K2—with a typical 99.7% all-trans isomeric purity level.
Vitamin K2 and Heart Health
Healthy bones aren’t the only benefit of taking K2. It also plays a key role in cardiovascular health by:
- Supporting arterial flexibility: Vitamin K2 activates key proteins that prevent calcium buildup in arteries, keeping them flexible and healthy.
- Maintaining blood vessel health: This is critical for sustaining a strong cardiovascular system, especially for endurance athletes.
Performance Benefits for Athletes
Besides the bone and heart health benefits, Vitamin K2 may also enhance your athletic performance. It supports the production of ATP, which is the primary energy source for your body’s cells.
Additionally, some research suggests that Vitamin K2 MK-7 may help trained athletes increase cardiac output during aerobic activities like running, cycling, or swimming. This helps supply more oxygen to working tissues, resulting in less fatigue.
Why I Supplement With K2 as a 40+ Runner
As a plant-based female runner in my 40s, I focus on maintaining strength and bone health to continue enjoying the sport I love. That’s why I supplement with vitamins that support my performance, like Vitamin K2.
You might be surprised to learn that nearly 50% of Americans don’t get enough Vitamin K in their diets, so supplementation can help fill those gaps. It’s important to choose a quality source, and I always look for the K2VITAL™ on the package to ensure I’m getting the most effective and bioavailable version of K2.
The Bottom Line
Vitamin K2 does more than just support your bones; it helps regulate calcium, protects your heart, and even supports athletic performance by increasing cardiac output during exercise. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or simply looking to stay strong and healthy as you age, adding Vitamin K2 to your routine can help you power your performance from the inside out.
Visit K2Vital.com for more information on K2VITAL™ brand Vitamin K2 and explore high-quality supplements that support your active lifestyle.
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