Vitamin K Coupon Codes

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Here are our best Vitamin K coupon codes, promo codes and special discount:

Best Vitamin K Coupon Codes:

 

What Is Vitamin K?

Vitamin K exists in several natural and synthetic chemical forms serving myriad crucial functions despite no known independent catabolic activities in cells. Instead various K vitamers operate as cofactors or coenzymes tightly orchestrating calcium metabolism, bone matrix development and coagulation cascade regulation.

Phylloquinones and Menaquinones

The two prominent forms include:

• Phylloquinone (K1) – Found abundantly in leafy vegetables like kale, spinach and Swiss chard. Has very high bioavailability and primarily supports healthy coagulation function.
• Menaquinones (K2) – Microbially-derived types MK-4 through MK-13 synthesized by bacteria vary in side chains impacting tissue distribution. Bone, blood vessel and brain benefits arise largely from longer MK-7.

A synthetic pharmaceutical version menadione aka K3 also exists strictly for serious bleeding disorders under close medical monitoring due to toxicity risks.

Bacterial Origins

Gut microbiota and probiotic strains like nattokinase produce menaquinones. However given individual variability in colonic microbes, relying on intrinsic vitamin K synthesis proves inconsistent and marginal for meeting most humans’ nutritional needs.

Fat Soluble Similarities

Like fellow fat soluble vitamins A, D, and E, vitamin K follows analogous digestive dynamics requiring bile secretion into intestinal chyme for lipid-based absorption by enterocytes and later chylomicron transport to the liver for homeostatic regulation and metabolic allocation support various tissues.

Now that the foundational biochemistry of vitamin K has been elucidated, gaining awareness of sufficient dietary intake sources and health implications of deficiency merits equal inspection!

Top Dietary Sources of Vitamin K

Unlike other vitamins, vitamin K sources skew heavily towards cruciferous greens and vegetables rather than multivitamin staples like citrus fruits. Here are the best forms and food sources:

K1 – Phylloquinones

• Kale: 700 mcg (880% DV) [richest source]
• Spinach: 500 mcg
• Broccoli: 220 mcg
• Brussel sprouts
• Blueberries & prunes

K2 – Menaquinones

• Natto: 1000 mcg MK-7 subtype
• Aged hard cheeses
• Egg yolks
• Chicken liver
• Salami
• Chicken breast

K2 Supplements

• MK-4 and MK-7 capsules
• Multivitamins including K

As evident, greens, fermented soy, organ meats and other probiotic-derived animal products offer the highest amounts of bioavailable vitamin K – rarely covered by common processed and fast food sources.

Health Benefits of Vitamin K

Vitamin K might seem like an obscure nutrient, but don’t underestimate how profoundly and extensively it benefits the body in multiple systems when adequate levels get maintained.

Blood Clotting Regulation

Perhaps vitamin K’s most renowned role – serving as an essential cofactor enabling proper blood coagulation. Specifically, K vitamins activate clotting factors II, VII, IX and X normally circulating in plasma in their inactive form until vascular injury requires rapid clot localization. K also stimulates anticoagulant proteins C and S guarding against excessive clots when no wound exists. This precise regulatory balance prevents unwanted bleeding or clots blocking flow.

Bone Density & Fracture Prevention

Research reveals vitamin K intricately participates along with vitamin D3 and other bone-supporting nutrients driving calcium incorporation into bone tissue and cartilage matrix. Supplementing vitamin K2 as MK-4 significantly reduces osteoporotic fractures over 5-10 years especially when combined with ample calcium, magnesium and D3.

Cardiovascular & Heart Health

Artery calcification wreaks havoc, stiffening blood vessels leading to plaque deposits as vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) hijack and mislocalize minerals. Vitamin K prevents pathologic VSMC uptake of calcium preventing medial elastocalcinosis and keepingSide pulmonary arteries and aorta flexible. K also inhibits formation of vascular damning matrix Gla protein activation.

Immune System Support

Emerging research shows certain K2 menaquinones uniquely bolster innate immune responses through influencing macrophage activity and inflammation modulation via the steroid and xenobiotic sensing nuclear receptor (SXR). SXR activation also stimulates production of key antimicrobial peptides defending against invasive bacteria – effectively making K vitamins infection fighters!

In summary, vitamin K provides a diverse array of irreplaceable health perks related to proper calcium metabolism, blood fluidity, immunity defenses and preventing calcified degradation of soft tissues. Get your levels tested today!

Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin K Deficiency

Overt vitamin K deficiency proves increasingly common yet often escapes diagnosis for prolonged periods until dysfunctional coagulation or bone disorders prompt testing. Be alert for:

Blood Clotting Irregularities

• Excessive or easy bruising
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Heavy menstrual flow or breakthrough bleeding
• Bleeding gums

Bone Disorders

• Higher bone fracture incidence
• Reduced bone density
• More bone pain and joint aches

Vascular Changes

• Bruit sounds in neck arteries
• Skin calcification around veins
• Varicose veins

Don’t overlook such subtle deficiency clues sabotaging wellness over months to years! Seek vitamin K testing immediately if suspicious.

Why Do We Need Vitamin K?

Vitamin K is responsible for one of the most important processes in our body – blood clotting. Without adequate vitamin K levels, we risk uncontrolled bleeding from the slightest injury. Here is a deeper look at why we require healthy K status:

Blood Coagulation Cascades

For blood to properly clot, vitamin K dependent coagulation factors II (prothrombin), VII, IX, and X must activate. These proenzymes circulate quiescent awaiting vascular trauma. Upon endothelium damage, trauma exposes subendothelial tissue factor triggering sequential activations kicking the coagulation cascade into high gear. Activated K factors then produce thrombin catalyzing fibrinogen into fibrin strands stemming blood flow. Without vitamin K, uncontrolled hemorrhage occurs.

Bone Matrix Coordination

The protein osteocalcin accumulates in bone matrix directing the controlled layout of calcium hydroxyapatite alongside collagen and concentrically around vasculature. This bone deposition hinges crucially on vitamin K modifying osteocalcin’s structure to bind calcium and anchor in position. In K deficiency, more uncarboxylated osteocalcin accumulates with grave effects on mineralization density.

Vascular Flexibility & Longevity

Smooth muscle cells lining arterial walls express a vitamin K-dependent matrix Gla protein regulating uptake and distribution of minerals like calcium to reinforce their elasticity and tensile strength. Inadequate K status however leads to uncontrolled calcification stiffening vessels and increasing cardiovascular mortality. K vitamins prevent blood vessels turning rigid and brittle.

In summary, we require vitamin K for essential biochemical activities enabling proper blood clotting, bone density, and vascular system anti-aging benefits. Get your levels tested today to protect wellness!

Recommended Intakes for Vitamin K

Due to vitamin K’s potency influencing several crucial yet invisible processes, intake guidelines exist to prevent overt bleeding disorders or bone loss risks. Let’s break these down further:

Recommended Dietary Allowances

The NIH classifies vitamin K intake recommendations:

• Infants 0-6 months – 2 mcg
• Infants 7-12 months – 2.5 mcg
• Children 1-3 years – 30 mcg
• Kids 4-8 years age – 55 mcg
• Children 9-13 years age – 60 mcg
• Adolescent boys age 14-18 – 75 mcg
• Adolescent girls age 14-18 – 65 mcg
• Adult women age 19+ – 90 mcg
• Adult men age 19+ – 120 mcg
• Pregnant women – 65 mcg
• Breastfeeding women – 75 mcg

Higher amounts often get advised for reversing osteoporosis up to 15 milligrams daily in divided doses.

Toxicity & Upper Limit

Notably vitamin K almost never manifests toxicity or adverse effects outside of pharmaceutical IV doses. Cases of true “vitamin K hypervitaminosis” remain astonishingly rare because the liver tightly regulates circulating K.

However the European Food Safety Association conservatively sets a mere 500 microgram daily upper limit for supplemental forms to allow a broad margin of safety given lack of data on mega-doses.

To conclude, adults should strive for at least the RDA levels daily from food and sun exposure. Supplementing additional micrograms poses little to no risk while potentially greatly benefiting bone and heart health over the long term.

Testing and Correcting Vitamin K Deficiency

Request specialized functional blood tests like serum phylloquinone (K1) or desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla protein (dp-ucMGP) assessments.

Correct any confirmed low vitamin K status through:

• ✅ Diet – Intentionally eating more greens, eggs, organ and fermented meats
• ✅ Sunlight – 20+ minutes daily supports K2-dependent dermal D3 synthesis
• ✅ Probiotics – Certain strains synthesize various K2 menaquinones aiding calcium metabolism
• ✅ Supplements – Sublingual drops, capsules with MK-4 and/or MK-7

A 3-6 month retesting plan after implementing diet and lifestyle improvements determines if levels normalize adequately. Patience and persistence pays off.

Vitamin K might be the most overlooked essential nutrient – yet deficiencies contribute to several leading health issues from vascular disease and osteoporosis.

Now that you grasp the diverse types and functions of this critical vitamin, ensure your diet regularly includes greens, pastured eggs, full-fat dairy, organ meats and probiotic foods. Supplement as needed to guarantee optimal status, then reconfirm through blood testing!

Your future vibrant wellness hinges on proper vitamin K activity at cellular levels. Take initiative today learning about and monitoring this crucial biomarker early!

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