Vitamin D, or the sunshine vitamin, is one we’ve been hearing a lot about in the news lately. In the past few years, research on this vital vitamin has exploded. Something as simple as taking a vitamin D supplement each day can have a myriad of benefits – like improving exercise performance and reducing the risk of heart disease, according to a preliminary study presented at the Society for Endocrinology’s annual conference in 2015.1 In 2016, only a year later, University of Leeds researchers confirmed that, yes, vitamin D does have an effect on the heart. A five-year research project showed that taking vitamin D3 each day could help to improve heart function in those with chronic heart failure.2

THE FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMIN

Besides taking on the big job of saving lives, vitamin D has everyday health benefits too. The fat-soluble vitamin that can be synthesised through the skin from moderate, daily sun exposure can help the body to retain muscle strength and mass, as seen in postmenopausal women and in toddlers who might otherwise build body fat early in life. Vitamin D may support healthy bones, immunity, foetal development during pregnancy, skin health, and blood pressure and blood glucose regulation, relating to type 2 diabetes.

While taking a daily vitamin D3 supplement can provide countless health benefits, these studies are only telling half of the story. While research into the dynamic properties of vitamin D has exploded over the past decade, another complementary vitamin has begun to rise in the ranks.

VITAMIN K2: A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOUR

We now know that while vitamin D3 is undoubtedly vital to the health of the body, it can’t accomplish its job in serving and protecting on its own. Vitamin K2 is the critical partner of vitamin D3. Vitamin K2 is required by the body to activate vitamin D3 so that both vitamins can route calcium through the body to improve absorption. It is this “tango” between the two vitamins that must occur in order to build and uphold bone health, potentially reducing osteoporosis risk.

In so many areas of the world, and especially in parts of Europe, we are not getting enough vitamin D3 from the sun as it is. As countless studies have pointed out, we can all benefit from taking a daily vitamin D3 supplement. Research also suggests that taking a daily vitamin D3 supplement with its perfect partner vitamin K2 may make it all the more effective, especially when it comes to protecting the health of the heart.3

Taking this duo of protective vitamins in a rapidly absorbing sublingual spray is one of the easiest ways to get your daily dose. Remember, a vitamin D supplement has potential health benefits, but it is only one piece of the puzzle. To have its full effect on the body, vitamin D3 needs its silent partner, vitamin K2, to get the job done.

Sources:

1. Society for Endocrinology. Vitamin D pill a day may improve exercise performance and lower risk of heart disease. 2015. Available at www.sciencedaily.com/ releases/2015/11/151101150629.htm

2. Witte, K. K., Byrom, R., Gierula, J., Paton, M. F., Jamil, H. A., Lowry, J. E., Gillott, R. G., Barnes, S. A., Chumun, H., Kearney, L. C., Greenwood, J. P., Plein, S., Law, G. R., Pavitt, S., Barth, J. H., Cubbon, R. M. and Kearney, M. T., 2016. Jun. Effects of vitamin D on cardiac function in patients with chronic HF: The VINDICATE study. J Am Coll Cardiol. 7;67(22) pp. 2593-603. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.508.

3. Tsugawa N. 2015. Cardiovascular diseases and fat soluble vitamins: Vitamin D and Vitamin K. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 61 Suppl:S170-2. doi: 10.3177/jnsv.61.S170.