By
Jim S Lovasz
A good question, "what is vitamin K?" as the K vitamins were probably the most misunderstood vitamins of the twentieth century. Modern researchers have only recently begun to unlock the secrets of these vitamins, which were discovered by the pioneer nutritionist Dr. Weston Price over 60 years ago.
Dr. Price was well aware of the key role played by "a new vitamin-like activator," which he dubbed Activator X. Although he was cognizant of its key role in utilization of minerals, which prevent and even reverses tooth decay and in reproduction and development, brain function and protection from heart disease he had not been able to chemically describe it.
We now know after 60 years of attempts to identify the elusive X factor that it is vitamin K2. Vitamin K is found naturally in two forms vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. The first is found in green vegetables and K2 is synthesized from K1 by some animals but not humans. It is also produced in a different form by bacteria in some lacto-fermentation processes.
Researchers, until recently, had always figured that they were essentially a different form of the same vitamin. They thought that vitamin K's only role was in blood clotting and as K1 is about 10 times as prevalent in most diets disregarded K2 as unimportant.
Things have changed radically since then and the scientific community has a growing awareness of how crucial vitamin K2 is as a nutrient. Although we have known for some time that the fat soluble vitamins A & D play a key role in bone development and protection from degeneration and tooth decay it is only recently that we have understood that this can only take place in the presence of vitamin K2.
Dr. Price well named the vitamin Activator X because that is exactly what it is the essential "activator." Vitamin K2 allows the body to put calcium in the bones and the teeth where it is needed and keeps it out of the soft tissue where it is harmful.
The ability to make the conversion from vitamin K1 to K2 varies widely between different species of animals and, as I earlier mentioned, is not demonstrated in humans. The observation that the mammary glands seem especially efficient at this conversion leads some researchers to conclude this evolved due to the vitamin being essential for infant development.
Foods High in Vitamin K
Other than that which is produced in lacto-fermentation vitamin K2 is only found in animal products. Hence, for anyone who avoids animal products the Japanese dish called Natto is a very K2 rich dish. Natto is fermented from soybeans and has a host of other health benefits. It is also very pungent and is an acquired taste.
Due to its strong flavor and gooey texture many people are unable to stomach Natto. This is unfortunate in that a 3 oz serving once a week will probably provide all the vitamin K2 required by most people.
The next best source that I am aware of is high vitamin butter oil in the true tradition of Dr. Weston Price's research. While studying the habits of Swiss mountain villagers he found an excellent source of his X Activator. The villagers would take their cows up to the high alps in the spring and they would feed on rapidly growing grass.
This produced a buttermilk so beneficial to the Swiss villager's health that they made a religious ceremony to show their thankfulness. Alas, this is not a readily available commodity. The only good source that I am aware of is at greenpasture.org.
For those of us who enjoy animal products and aren't afraid of a healthy intake of cholesterol, which I have addressed in another article, there are a number of tasty alternatives. For example a 3 oz serving of Goose Liver Paste consumed 2 to 3 times per week provides ample K2.
Hard cheese is a good source and roughly 5 oz contains daily needs while soft cheese would require an extra ounce or two. There are also significant albeit lesser amounts in egg yolks, butter, chicken and beef, all of which are beneficial to a healthy diet.
A good question, "what is vitamin K?" as the K vitamins were probably the most misunderstood vitamins of the twentieth century. Modern researchers have only recently begun to unlock the secrets of these vitamins, which were discovered by the pioneer nutritionist Dr. Weston Price over 60 years ago.
Dr. Price was well aware of the key role played by "a new vitamin-like activator," which he dubbed Activator X. Although he was cognizant of its key role in utilization of minerals, which prevent and even reverses tooth decay and in reproduction and development, brain function and protection from heart disease he had not been able to chemically describe it.
We now know after 60 years of attempts to identify the elusive X factor that it is vitamin K2. Vitamin K is found naturally in two forms vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. The first is found in green vegetables and K2 is synthesized from K1 by some animals but not humans. It is also produced in a different form by bacteria in some lacto-fermentation processes.
Researchers, until recently, had always figured that they were essentially a different form of the same vitamin. They thought that vitamin K's only role was in blood clotting and as K1 is about 10 times as prevalent in most diets disregarded K2 as unimportant.
Things have changed radically since then and the scientific community has a growing awareness of how crucial vitamin K2 is as a nutrient. Although we have known for some time that the fat soluble vitamins A & D play a key role in bone development and protection from degeneration and tooth decay it is only recently that we have understood that this can only take place in the presence of vitamin K2.
Dr. Price well named the vitamin Activator X because that is exactly what it is the essential "activator." Vitamin K2 allows the body to put calcium in the bones and the teeth where it is needed and keeps it out of the soft tissue where it is harmful.
The ability to make the conversion from vitamin K1 to K2 varies widely between different species of animals and, as I earlier mentioned, is not demonstrated in humans. The observation that the mammary glands seem especially efficient at this conversion leads some researchers to conclude this evolved due to the vitamin being essential for infant development.
Foods High in Vitamin K
Other than that which is produced in lacto-fermentation vitamin K2 is only found in animal products. Hence, for anyone who avoids animal products the Japanese dish called Natto is a very K2 rich dish. Natto is fermented from soybeans and has a host of other health benefits. It is also very pungent and is an acquired taste.
Due to its strong flavor and gooey texture many people are unable to stomach Natto. This is unfortunate in that a 3 oz serving once a week will probably provide all the vitamin K2 required by most people.
The next best source that I am aware of is high vitamin butter oil in the true tradition of Dr. Weston Price's research. While studying the habits of Swiss mountain villagers he found an excellent source of his X Activator. The villagers would take their cows up to the high alps in the spring and they would feed on rapidly growing grass.
This produced a buttermilk so beneficial to the Swiss villager's health that they made a religious ceremony to show their thankfulness. Alas, this is not a readily available commodity. The only good source that I am aware of is at greenpasture.org.
For those of us who enjoy animal products and aren't afraid of a healthy intake of cholesterol, which I have addressed in another article, there are a number of tasty alternatives. For example a 3 oz serving of Goose Liver Paste consumed 2 to 3 times per week provides ample K2.
Hard cheese is a good source and roughly 5 oz contains daily needs while soft cheese would require an extra ounce or two. There are also significant albeit lesser amounts in egg yolks, butter, chicken and beef, all of which are beneficial to a healthy diet.