Keep Osteoporosis at Bay with Vitamin K

Osteoporosis is a disease which involves a progressive decline of bone mass, shrinking of the body, and an increased risk of bones breaking. If left untreated, osteoporosis will progress until a bone breaks or fractures.

The disease primarily strikes post menopausal women, and while women are 4 times as likely to contract the disease, the male population is also at risk.

Osteoporosis was typically treated with calcium supplements, however, current research suggests that exercise, vitamin D, and now vitamin K, might play a bigger role in treating the disease.

Vitamin K comes in two forms. The first form, called K1, is found in a variety of plant foods. The second form, called K2, is synthesized by bacteria, both in the body, and in fermented foods, particularly soy based products like tofu and miso.

Both forms of vitamin K help protect against osteoporosis, but in different ways. K1 through its anti-inflammatory effects, and K2 by activating osteocalcin, a protein which increases absorption of calcium into the body's bones, thus maintaining a high bone density.

Click here for a list of foods high in vitamin K.