Showing posts with label vitamin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vitamin. Show all posts
Vitamin K2 The Missing Link to Perfect Health
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Almost a century ago, in the early part of the 20th century, a dentist named Weston A. Price performed some of the most important research in the history of nutrition and health science. As a dentist, he was concerned about the epidemic of dental deformities, like crooked teeth and cavities, so he set out to find traditional societies all over the globe didnt suffer from such problems. Sure enough, he found several "primitive" societies isolated from the industrialized world who, despite a complete lack of dental hygiene, had perfectly straight teeth and little to no tooth decay. And beyond that, chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease were completely absent. He showed that, like all other animals, humans are healthy and robust when they eat, move, and live the way theyre designed. Then, he watched as these healthy societies became civilized, adopted white flour and sugar, and their health declined.
That is Weston A. Price in a nutshell, but I encourage you to read his book "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" for the full story. Although the societies Price studied ate a variety of diets, he noticed something that they all shared... all of these diets were particularly high in three fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, and something he called "Activator X". He determined that these three vitamins were critical and worked in synergy for tooth and bone formation, as well as general health. After returning to America, Price applied what he had learned on his own patients. He used a combination of high-vitamin butter oil (Activator X) and cod liver oil (A and D) to successfully prevent and reverse dental cavities in many of his patients. Pretty amazing huh? These three vitamins, when used in conjunction, can reverse cavities. Fast forward to today... has anyone in the medical profession ever heard of this research? Probably not. To them, crooked teeth are just genetic, and the only way to fix a cavity is to get a filling. Oh how wrong they are...
Price never identified this mystery vitamin he called "Activator X". Weve all heard of vitamins A and D, but Activator X seems to have been lost in time. Until now, that is. Science has now uncovered its true identity, and research is beginning to confirm what Price learned almost a century ago. Activator X is... Vitamin K2.
You could obviously start eating the foods listed above, that will surely help. Get a hold of some local, pastured eggs, or some grass-fed butter like Kerrygold. Theyre high in vitamins A and K2, plus they taste good. You could also get a K2 supplement (menatetranone, or MK-4, is the one you want). That would likely help; after all, it worked in the osteoporosis studies. But remember, since they work in synergy, A, D, and K2 function best when theyre in balance with each other... there must be a way to get all three of them in one place. And there is! Remember the butter oil/cod liver oil blend I mentioned that Dr. Price used in his practice? Well, lucky for us, Green Pasture produces that very same product today. Sure its a little expensive, but its top quality and it makes getting your A, D, and K2 extremely easy. Now you dont have to choke down goose liver. Youre welcome.
So go out and get your K2, however it is you choose to do it. Eat goose liver, pig out on fish eggs, whatever you want to do... just do it! You cant afford not to. Your arteries and bones will thank you. And you will thank them. And you will both live a long, healthy, happy life together, just you and your arteries and bones. And hopefully a spouse... and her arteries and bones. And kids with perfect faces and teeth. Maybe grandkids... okay you get the point. Get your K2 on!
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| Traditional Swiss: ornery because they got all them teeth but no toothbrush |
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| Modernized Swiss: even West Virginia doesnt want them |
That is Weston A. Price in a nutshell, but I encourage you to read his book "Nutrition and Physical Degeneration" for the full story. Although the societies Price studied ate a variety of diets, he noticed something that they all shared... all of these diets were particularly high in three fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, and something he called "Activator X". He determined that these three vitamins were critical and worked in synergy for tooth and bone formation, as well as general health. After returning to America, Price applied what he had learned on his own patients. He used a combination of high-vitamin butter oil (Activator X) and cod liver oil (A and D) to successfully prevent and reverse dental cavities in many of his patients. Pretty amazing huh? These three vitamins, when used in conjunction, can reverse cavities. Fast forward to today... has anyone in the medical profession ever heard of this research? Probably not. To them, crooked teeth are just genetic, and the only way to fix a cavity is to get a filling. Oh how wrong they are...
Price never identified this mystery vitamin he called "Activator X". Weve all heard of vitamins A and D, but Activator X seems to have been lost in time. Until now, that is. Science has now uncovered its true identity, and research is beginning to confirm what Price learned almost a century ago. Activator X is... Vitamin K2.
As I explained in my previous post on dairy fat, vitamin K2 is not the vitamin K youve heard of... thats K1. Vitamin K2 is a whole different animal. Thankfully, we now have some exciting modern research touting the benefits of K2. The research generally falls into two categories, let me know if any of this sounds familiar...
Cardiovascular Disease (heart disease and stroke)
There have been observational studies done in humans, and a few controlled, clinical trials in rats. In humans, high dietary K2 intake is strongly associated with a reduction in cardiovascular disease risk (1, 2, 3). In one study, men with the highest K2 intake had a whopping 51% lower risk of heart disease and a 26% lower risk of death from all causes than men with the lowest K2 intake. There is no such association with K1 intake.
In rats, supplementation of vitamin K2 has been shown to prevent, and even reverse plaque buildup in the coronary arteries (4, 5). No joke. Reverse plaque buildup. Read the articles, the proof is there. Although this cant quite be extrapolated to humans, it sounds promising doesnt it? Just imagine the headline... "Lipitor Becomes Obselete in Light of Miracle Vitamin". All we need is someone to do the research. And then someone to fight the ensuing big pharma backlash. But perhaps Im getting ahead of myself... suffice it to say, at the very least, K2 prevents plaque buildup.
Bone Development and Maintenance
Vitamin K2 is absolutely essential in infancy and childhood for proper skull development (6, 7). Full skull development allows plenty of space for teeth to grow in straight. In addition, your full cheekbones and straight set of pearly whites will no doubt make you more physically attractive, and lets not underestimate the importance of that (8). This is some key information no parent should go without.
In older adults, several clinical trials have been conducted in which post-menopausal women were given supplemental vitamin K2. A meta-analysis of this research shows that K2 supplementation reduces bone loss and prevents osteoporosis as we age, as well as significantly reduces the risk of incident fractures (9). Does anybody know any grandmas and grandpas out there who are taking K2? I certainly dont. I think its time to change that.
The Big Picture
Lets tie these two ideas together, because they are, in fact, two sides to the same coin. Research shows a clear connection between arterial calcification (plaque buildup) and osteoporosis (10). The two frequently occur together, and both are rooted in the same issue: the failure of the body to use calcium effectively. Allow me to explain... vitamin K2s main function in the body is to deposit calcium in appropriate locations, such as in the bones and teeth, and prevent it from depositing in locations where it does not belong, such as the coronary arteries. Double whammy. Just like Price said. But K2 doesnt work in isolation; modern science also confirms Prices idea that K2 works in synergy with vitamins A and D. We now know, for example, that A and D promote cellular production of a protein called osteocalcin, which, with the help of K2, organizes calcium and phosphorous deposition into bones and teeth. Proper osteocalcin functioning means that your bones and teeth are making the most of the calcium youve got coming in. Then we also have something called matrix GLA protein (MGP), which has the same relationship with A, D, and K2. This protein, however, actively prevents arterial calcification, directly fighting the process that causes cardiovascular disease. Given these mechanisms, it should be no surprise that K2 improves the outcomes in both heart disease and osteoporosis. Looks like Price was on to something eh?
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| Mother Goose, with a liver full of K2 |
K2 in the Diet
Okay, lets play a game. I tell you the food sources of vitamin K2, and you tell me whether or not the average American is getting enough of it. Ready... set... go! (11,12)
- Goose liver
- Grass-fed butter and cream
- Grass-fed milk and cheese
- Free-range egg yolks
- Fish eggs
You could obviously start eating the foods listed above, that will surely help. Get a hold of some local, pastured eggs, or some grass-fed butter like Kerrygold. Theyre high in vitamins A and K2, plus they taste good. You could also get a K2 supplement (menatetranone, or MK-4, is the one you want). That would likely help; after all, it worked in the osteoporosis studies. But remember, since they work in synergy, A, D, and K2 function best when theyre in balance with each other... there must be a way to get all three of them in one place. And there is! Remember the butter oil/cod liver oil blend I mentioned that Dr. Price used in his practice? Well, lucky for us, Green Pasture produces that very same product today. Sure its a little expensive, but its top quality and it makes getting your A, D, and K2 extremely easy. Now you dont have to choke down goose liver. Youre welcome.
So go out and get your K2, however it is you choose to do it. Eat goose liver, pig out on fish eggs, whatever you want to do... just do it! You cant afford not to. Your arteries and bones will thank you. And you will thank them. And you will both live a long, healthy, happy life together, just you and your arteries and bones. And hopefully a spouse... and her arteries and bones. And kids with perfect faces and teeth. Maybe grandkids... okay you get the point. Get your K2 on!
Vitamin D3 Halts Inflammation to Lower Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Thousands of research studies have demonstrated the powerful health-promoting properties of the prohormone compound, vitamin D3. Researchers publishingin The Journal of Immunology explain the specific molecular and signaling events by which vitamin D inhibits inflammation in the human body. In a very detailed analysis, scientists show that low blood circulating levels of vitamin D do not adequately inhibit the inflammatory cascade necessary to turn off this potentially destructive mechanism.
Low levels of inflammation, normally used by the body to fight pathogenic invaders, become a primary cause of heart disease, diabetes, many cancer lines and Alzheimer’s dementia. Additional evidence reportedin the British Journal of Nutrition demonstrates that adequate vitamin D levels reduce critical markers of cardiovascular health and can lead to significant reductions in body fat in overweight and obese people. It is critical to have your vitamin D level checked, and supplement as necessary to lower inflammation levels and risk of heart disease.
Vitamin D Lowers Inflammation to Prevent Chronic Disease and Stimulate Immune Response Systems
Dr. Elena Goleva, lead scientist from National Jewish Health, found that prior studies with vitamin D show a clear and positive link between blood levels of the prohormone and a variety of different health outcomes. Dr. Goleva and her team looked for specific mechanisms to explain precisely how vitamin D functions at the cellular level to prevent disease in the human body.
Dr. Goleva and her team of researchers noted that vitamin D is a catalyst that initiates “a clear chain of cellular events, from the binding of DNA, through a specific signaling pathway, to the reduction of proteins known to trigger inflammation.” To test how vitamin D acts on immune and inflammatory pathways, team scientists exposed human white blood cells to varying levels of vitamin D and exposed them to an agent known to promote intense inflammatory responses and advance disease processes.
Vitamin D Lowers Inflammatory Markers and Increases Health-Promoting HDL Cholesterol
White blood cells that were incubated with no vitamin D or a solution of 15 ng/mL produced very high levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha. In vivo, these signaling messengers are known to be responsible for the development and progression of cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer and dementia. Cells incubated at a concentration of 30 ng/mL and above showed a significantly reduced response, while the highest level of inflammatory inhibition occurred at 50 ng/ml.
Supporting evidence for the health-promoting effect of vitamin D as reported in the journal BMJ shows marked improvement in cardiovascular biomarkers including HDL cholesterol. Additionally, researchers found the hormone-like substance lowered the risk of lipid peroxidation, the process responsible for making LDL cholesterol molecules sticky and prone to form atherosclerotic plaque. They also determined that high circulating levels of vitamin D were associatedwith “significant reductions in fat mass”in overweight and obese people.
There should be no doubt that the millions of people living with grossly sub-optimal vitamin D levels are dramatically increasing their risk of developing a plethora of potentially deadly illnesses. Health-minded individuals will ensure they maintain a circulating blood level of 50 to 70 ng/mL by means of a 25(OH)D blood test to regulate systemic inflammation and fight chronic disease.
Vitamin D Levels Dramatically Lower Cardiovascular Risk
Saturday, April 19, 2014
It has been widely reported that US deaths from cardiovascular disease has recently overtaken cancer as the Number 1 killer of people of all ages. The news media has been quick to blast these headlines everywhere. And the pharmaceutical companies are also quick to tell all who will listen that their latest and greatest drug will lower total cholesterol and LDL-C, thus reducing heart attack risk. If only it were that simple... and true!
The problem is that many recent reports have proven that cholesterol (and even the much maligned LDL-C) are really not your enemy. In fact, they are critical blood components which provide our bodies with the ability to synthesize new cells, form hormones and a large variety of other critical cellular functions. When these levels are artificially reduced, essential molecular duties are limited, and the homeostasis in the body is disrupted. Pharmaceutical makers (and your doctor) love the statin drugs because they predictably lower blood markers in a dose dependent manner. Take this amount of drug, and you will reduce your cholesterol by this amount. In fact, it has been demonstrated that statins help only 1 in 100 people partially avoid a second heart attack, likely through the statins ability to modestly reduce systemic inflammation. All nice and pretty... and thus a multi-billion dollar category of drugs is born.
The latest research is clearly demonstrating that arterial plaque is not directly formed by cholesterol being stuffed into the walls of our arteries, but by a very complex process which is triggered through our immune system through inflammation. Components of our white blood cells known as macrophages are actually the culprit, as they lose their protein coating in a response to arterial inflammation. It are these white blood cell macrophages which create the foamy plagues which plug up the micro openings in the arteries which occur due to excessive abuse in our body. This abuse is caused by a large number of factors, but the short list includes poor dietary factors (ined carbs, fast foods, fried foods) and high blood pressure. From the perspective of our bodies, it is attempting to save our lives, as these micro cracks in the arterial walls could easily lead our bleeding-out. It is ironic that the mechanism used to help us survive is often the same one which leads to our premature demise. Vitamin C is also critical in avoiding the micro cracks, as it assists the body to create collagen which can help to repair the tiny tears in the vessel walls. More about the role of Vitamin C in a future post.
Now that we understand that the local pharmacy does not have the answer to help us avoid cardiovascular disease, how can we eliminate this risk? The simple answer is through eating a proper diet which is low in ined carbs, sugar and especially high-fructose corn syrup and trans-fats and cooked animal fats, maintaining a healthy body weight and correcting the blood level of Vitamin D. OK, the first two we have all heard about, but the Vitamin D component just doesnt seem to get that much media attention. The very latest studies have confirmed that maintaining an optimal Vitamin D blood level of 50 - 70 ng/ml will reduce the chance of developing heart disease by 50%! As this is the primary killer of people in the US and other western countries, wouldnt that merit a major headline? Hard to believe that you probably will never hear of this information. But yet Vitamin D has been demonstrated to help blood vessels to dilate, reduce levels of dangerous triglycerides and reduce inflammatory factors in the blood. By ensuring a proper level of Vitamin D in the blood through either sun exposure (only if less than 50 years old) or supplementation (remember, in a gelcap form), we can cut in half the number of people subjected to heart disease.
If only there were millions to be made by pharmaceutical entities through the sale of Vitamin D, we could save literally millions of lives each year. Good thing you now know this vital information and can begin taking steps to protect your own health.
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