Vitamin 𝐾 2 𝐾 2 (specifically in the form of MK-7) is the primary vitamin responsible for inhibiting arterial calcification by activating Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), which prevents calcium from depositing in blood vessel walls. It works synergistically with Vitamin 𝐷 3 𝐷 3 to ensure calcium is properly utilized in bones rather than arteries.
Vitamin D3 (a cholecalciferol) is a vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium. This vitamin works alongside Vitamin K2 to help pull calcium deposits from your arteries. Oily fish is the best source of Vitamin D3, including rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, and sardines.
In the groups receiving high-dose vitamin K1 or K2 (MK-4), not only was there no further arterial calcium accumulation, there was a 37% reduction of previously accumulated arterial calcification after six weeks. After 12 weeks, there was a 53% reduction in accumulated arterial calcium deposits.
Vitamin K: Regulating Calcium in Arteries
Vitamin K2 is believed to help direct calcium away from arteries and into the bones, preventing its accumulation in arterial walls. This matters because excess calcium in arteries can contribute to the development of arterial plaque.
Here are 15 foods that may help prevent clogged arteries.
Our study confirms that by using the CAC Agatston score, Vitamin K2 can have a role in decreasing the progression of coronary artery calcification.
Among foods that contribute to clogged arteries are:
Is Vitamin K2 Dangerous? In general, vitamin K2 is considered safe when consumed as part of a balanced diet or in the form of dietary supplements at recommended doses. No serious side effects have been associated with this vitamin, even at relatively high doses.
Not only does vitamin K2 help move calcium into the proper areas in your body, it also assists in removing calcium from areas where it shouldn't be. Statins have been shown to deplete your body of CoQ10 and impair heart muscle mitochondria function.
Foods rich in Vitamin K2 include fermented options like natto (soybeans) and sauerkraut, animal products like egg yolks, liver (goose, chicken), fatty fish, and grass-fed dairy such as butter and hard cheeses (Gouda, Brie), which are crucial for bone and heart health, often working alongside Vitamin D for calcium regulation.
Green Tea: This healthy beverage contains procyanidins, which have been found to help prevent blood clots and promote healthy endothelium (the tissue that lines blood vessels and your heart). Apples: Apples (particularly Red Delicious and Granny Smith) are also rich in procyanidins.
Colchicine acts on many anti-inflammatory pathways, which translates to cardiovascular event reduction, plaque transformation, and plaque reduction. With the FDA's 2023 approval of colchicine for reducing cardiovascular events, a novel clinical pathway opens.
You may need a procedure to clear calcium deposits out of your coronary arteries or you just may need to pick up heart-healthy habits. Even if you don't have cardiovascular issues, you can eat less fat, exercise more and avoid tobacco products to help keep yourself healthy.
Results of a published, double-blind, randomized clinical trial, Knapen et al. show that when taken daily in nutritional doses (180 μg as MenaQ7®) for three years by a healthy population, vitamin K2 (MK-7) improves cardiovascular health.
And out of all vitamin K2 forms, Vitamin K2 MK-7 has proven to be absorbed into the body most efficiently and has shown the most excellent bioavailability. MK-4's half-life is very short and easily decomposed in the body, meaning that it is effective when the intake amount and the number of intakes are high enough.
In a clinical study, a daily micronutrient supplement, including about 4 grams of vitamin C, was able to halt the progression of coronary calcifications in patients diagnosed with early coronary artery disease [15].
One study found that people who took in at least 32 micrograms per day of vitamin K2 in their diet were 50% less likely to die from heart disease related to hardened arteries.
CoQ10 may improve congestive heart failure symptoms. Although findings are mixed, CoQ10 might help lower blood pressure. Some research also suggests that when taken with other nutrients, CoQ10 might help people recover from bypass and heart valve surgeries.
Alcohol and salty foods are catalysts for calcium flushing. As calcium levels in the blood decrease, the body extracts (resorbing) calcium from the bones to obtain the calcium it needs to function properly. Calcium flushing can make the bones porous, which can lead to the development of osteoporosis.
You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests. Ask your healthcare provider before using this medicine if you have heart disease, liver disease, kidney stones, an overactive thyroid gland, a bleeding disorder, or sarcoidosis.
If you have hard water, ACV may ease some of its effects. Hard water is high in minerals like calcium, magnesium bicarbonate, and sulfates. ACV is thought to help get rid of calcium buildup and leave your hair shinier when you use it after a shampoo.