Why Vitamin D3 and K2 Work Better Together
Most people know vitamin D as the sunshine vitamin. Fewer people have heard of vitamin K2, even though the two work as a team. If you are over 50, this pairing is worth understanding.
What vitamin D does
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from food. It also supports normal immune function and muscle strength.
The catch is that many adults do not get enough. We spend more time indoors, and our skin makes less vitamin D from sunlight as we get older. Winter months make it harder still.
Where vitamin K2 comes in
Absorbing calcium is only half the job. Your body also needs to send it to the right place, which is your bones and teeth.
That is what vitamin K2 helps with. It activates two proteins, osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein. The first helps bind calcium into bone. The second helps keep calcium out of places it does not belong, like artery walls.
Think of vitamin D as the delivery truck and K2 as the driver who knows the address.
K2 is found in fermented foods like natto and some aged cheeses. Most Western diets do not include much of either.
Why take them together
When you take vitamin D on its own, you absorb more calcium. Pairing it with K2 helps make sure that calcium is put to good use.
That is why we combined both in one daily capsule. Our D3 + K2 has 5,000 IU (125 mcg) of vitamin D3 from a plant-based algae source and 100 mcg of vitamin K2 as MK-7. MK-7 is made by natto fermentation and stays active in the body for more than 72 hours, so one softgel a day is enough.
A few simple tips
- Take it with a meal that has some fat, like eggs, avocado or olive oil. Both vitamins are fat soluble.
- Take one softgel with breakfast so it becomes part of your morning.
- If you take a blood thinner such as warfarin, talk to your doctor before starting vitamin K2.
- Give it time. Vitamin D levels take about 8 to 12 weeks to settle. Ask your doctor about a 25-hydroxy vitamin D blood test before you start and again after three months.
The bottom line
Vitamin D and K2 are simple, well-studied nutrients that do more together than apart. For many adults over 50, they are an easy place to start a daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why take vitamin D3 and K2 together?
When is the best time to take D3 + K2?
Can I take vitamin K2 with a blood thinner?
How long does it take for vitamin D levels to change?
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
