Vitamin K2 Benefits and Side Effects?

Which vitamin comes to your mind when you hear the word “vitamin”? Maybe vitamin B, or C, but definitely not K.

Vitamin K is a vital nutrient that affects a range of bodily functions including cardiovascular as well as cognitive health.

It is available in the form of vitamin K1 and vitamin K2.

While vitamin K1 is found in plant sources, vitamin K2 is common among animal food sources and fermented food.

And today we’ll be discussing the vitamin K2 benefits and side effects in detail.

Vitamin k2 is barely part of anyone’s discussion when it comes to vitamin deficiencies.

However, this doesn’t degrade its importance in improving human health.

This underrated vitamin is misunderstood by many until recently among both the scientific and general communities.

Vitamin K2 is part of a lot of health supplements including wound healing medicines as well as testosterone boosters.

It has the potential to boost your fitness levels. Nonetheless, like any other nutrient, an overdose of vitamin K2 can be damaging to an extent.

So, let’s get to know more about the vitamin K2 benefits and side effects.

What is Vitamin K2?

Vitamin K2 is not a prominent name that falls in the range of our crucial vitamins and nutrients.

This specific vitamin is an important player in maintaining our health and well-being.

Vitamin k2 is the type of menaquinone that is present in different animal-based foods and fermented foods.

Interestingly, some of the menaquinones are also produced by the gut by good bacteria.

Moving on, vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble one that aids in blood clotting and maintaining bone health.

Apart from these, the beneficial aspects of vitamin K2 are quite widespread but too much of it can bring troubles too.

Thus, in order to enjoy it effectively one should be aware of both the bright and dark sides.

Vitamin K2 Benefits and Side Effects

The role of vitamin K2 in muscles and bones is usually well-known by people.

But there are a bunch of lesser-known aspects of it that you need to be aware of as well.

Vitamin K2 Benefits

Some of the major benefits of using this vitamin K2 include:

#1. Improves Bone Health

Vitamin K2 is indeed the guardian angel of our bones. This works by activating the proteins which helps to manage the calcium.

Furthermore, this vitamin ensures that the calcium gets properly deposited in bones and teeth which makes them strong and resistant.

This lack of vitamin K2 in the body can lead to an increasing chance of osteoporosis and the problem is bone joint health.

Adding to it, if you are an athlete or into bodybuilding, make sure to include enough vitamin K in your diet. This help reduces the risk of bone and joint injury.

#2. Heart Health

Some researchers have suggested that Vitamin K2 might help in preventing calcium from building up in the arteries, which can be a beneficial side of maintaining heart health.

By keeping the blood flow in the arteries free from any blockage, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Adding to it, vitamin K2 activates a protein called matrix Gla protein that helps inhibit calcium deposits.

This is echoed in research of 2022 by, Frontiers in Pharmacology Review which summarizes the health benefits of vitamin K2.

#3. Provides Muscle Building Strength

One may wonder, is vitamin K2 good for bodybuilding?

Yes, vitamin K2 can also enhance your physical performance and promote muscle strength.

It helps in regulating calcium metabolism which ensures that calcium is getting deposited in the bone rather than in the muscles.

This can contribute to strong and healthy muscles and reduce the chances of muscle fatigue.

Apart from this, the strong bone serves as a strong foundation for the muscles to develop and therefore enables individuals to go through workout regimes efficiently.

#4. Fights Cancer

Vitamin K2 might have a role in cancer prevention too.

Some studies say that it can prevent the growth of cancer cells and supports creating the body’s natural defense against tumors.

As per the reports of the journal published in Oncology Letters, the combination treatment of vitamin K2 established chemotherapeutics can achieve better results with fewer side effects.

#5. Aids In Blood Clotting

This is among the major benefits of Vitamin K2.

While people are scared of blot clots as they can travel to the brain ad heart and may cause stroke, here, the blot is considered in the sense of injury prevention.

The ability of the blood to clot is what prevents blood loss after an injury and allows it to heal.

You can thank vitamin K2 for this! It keeps the blood clot neither too thick nor too thin.

These are some of the many positive outcomes of vitamin K2 in the body.

Although the benefits are quite promising we must also take a closer look at the side effects it may cause.

Vitamin K2 Side Effects

Some of the possible side effects of vitamin K2 include:

#1. Blood Thinning Concerns

Since Vitamin K2 has a key role in blood clotting regulation, it can interfere with the blood-thinning medicines if you are taking any.

Vitamin K2 can also interact with certain medications like warfarin and makes them less effective.

#2. Kidney Issue

Excessive consumption of vitamin K2 can harm people who already have kidney problems.

#3. Digestive Problems

In some cases, a high dosage of Vitamin K2 might cause digestive issues like upset stomach or diarrhea.

One can also experience a loss of appetite and a bad taste in the mouth. Therefore, it is always suggested to adjust the dose as per toleration.

These are some of the very basic vitamin K2 benefits and side effects that an individual needs to be aware of before including it in the diet.

Notably, both the lack and overdose of vitamin K2 can be problematic for your well-being.

So, moderation is the key and to maintain moderation you need to select perfect sources of Vitamin K2.

Different Sources of Vitamin K2

As we’ve taken a close look at the vitamin K2 benefits and side effects, it’s time to discover the amazing sources of it to ensure the effectiveness of the vitamin.

#1. Foods Sources

The food sources of Vitamin K2 include:

. Fermented foods: Natto, Fermented cheese.

. Animal Products: Pork, beef, chicken, turkey meat.

. Dairy products: Eggs, butter.

. Seafood: Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel.

These foods contain a necessary level of Vitamin K2.

#2. Supplements

Apart from food sources, some supplements too can provide the necessary amount of Vitamin K2. Two Vitamin k2 supplements include:

#1. Hunter Test: Hunter test is an amazing performance-boosting supplement that contains Vitamin K2 as one of its key ingredients.

Vitamin K2 is present in this supplement at 150µg per serving amount. This supplement can provide improved stamina, bone health, and libido.

#2. TestoFuel: Testfuel is another supplement that contains the goodness of Vitamin K2.

This performance booster is made with all the natural ingredients and provides amazing muscle growth and strength.

Testofuel contains 18 mcg of vitamin K2 per serving, which is an ideal amount.

To know which Vitamin K2 supplement will be a perfect fit for you, you may refer to the Hunter Test vs TestoFuel detailed comparison.

Vitamin K2 doesn’t get us enough attention. Proper utilization of vitamin K2 food sources and supplements can improve bone, heart, and overall health.

Nonetheless, if you suspect you need more vitamin K2, better discuss it with your healthcare provider first.

Final Thought

In this blog, we have tried to guide you with Vitamin K2 benefits and side effects in detail.

Thus, knowing about the various aspects of this underrated vitamin opens a lot of avenues regarding the beneficial effects of it.

Shedding light on its potential drawbacks makes one aware of the need of maintaining moderation and understanding the need for proper dosage.

The two supplements which we have discussed in the blog can be an efficient way to ensure the proper intake of Vitamin K2 along with achieving all the benefits linked with it.

However, make sure you get your vitamin levels tested before including it in your diet.