Don’t be “brittle”, Vitamin K2 is serious in protecting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases

In today's society, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems are becoming one of the major hidden dangers threatening human health. According to the "2022 Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Health Trend Report", the estimated number of people suffering from cardiovascular disease in China is 330 million, including 11.39 million coronary heart disease and 13 million stroke, which has brought a heavy burden to countless families. Vitamin K2, with its unique physiological effects, is gradually becoming an "invisible guardian" in protecting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health.

1. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems are on the rise

Over the past 20 years, the mortality rate from cerebrovascular disease has gradually increased in China. The latest survey shows that 2 out of every 5 deaths in our country are due to cardiovascular problems. Faced with such severe health challenges, we urgently need to have a deeper understanding of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems. root causes and explore effective prevention and intervention strategies.

There are multiple risk factors behind the high incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular problems, including coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, etc. The following six "killers" weave a network that threatens life and health.

Dyslipidemia

Hyperglycemia

Hypertension

Overweight/obese

Thrombosis

Genetic factors

Among them, dyslipidemia, hypertension, Hyperglycemia, smoking, obesity and mental and psychological factors are modifiable risk factors. A large amount of epidemiological and clinical research evidence shows that effective intervention of these risk factors can delay the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic lesions and prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

2. Different age groups have different risk factors

Middle-aged and elderly

The "2022 Cardiovascular Disease Health Management White Paper" survey shows that the average age of patients with cardiovascular disease is around 56 years old, and most of them are men, accounting for 81.2%. The burden caused by chronic diseases such as stroke and ischemic heart disease has become the most important health problem, especially among the elderly in China.

Vascular calcification is often seen in aging, atherosclerotic plaques, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. It is an important cause of increased cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Vascular calcification occurs in the early stages of many health problems. Vitamin K-dependent proteins, such as matrix Gla protein (MGP), Gla-rich protein (GRP), etc., rely on the participation of vitamin K and are catalyzed by γ-glutamate carboxylase to produce γ-carboxyglutamic acid and participate in post-transcriptional modifications. And activates its biologically active protein, participating in and regulating the occurrence and development of vascular calcification.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) synthesize matrix Gla protein (MGP). When vitamin K is sufficient, MGP is produced in a carboxylated form (cMGP), which prevents mineralization. GRP is named after containing a large number of Gla residues and is considered to be a marker protein secreted by chondrocytes. GRP is not only widely expressed in bone-related tissues, but also in soft tissues such as calcified areas of blood vessel walls. It regulates extracellular calcium ion metabolism and promotes cartilage formation and tissue calcification.

Postmenopausal women, pregnancy

Estrogen has a certain protective effect on blood vessels, and has a good effect in regulating blood lipids, which can effectively reduce blood viscosity, thereby preventing thrombosis and reducing the occurrence of coronary heart disease. Because estrogen levels decrease after menopause, coronary heart disease is more common in postmenopausal women. 18% of strokes in women under 35 are related to pregnancy. During pregnancy, women's coagulation function changes due to the influence of progesterone and estrogen.

Young people

About 1/3 of adults in my country have carotid atherosclerotic plaques, and about 2/3 of ischemic strokes. Judging from clinical experience in recent years, the incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke has shown a significantly younger trend. This is not unrelated to the lifestyle of young people who exercise less, stay up late and suffer from insomnia, suffer from high mental stress and mood swings, and overeat from time to time. These bad living habits and the trend of younger people with "three highs" will give an "opportunity" for the onset of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

3. Vitamin K2, the invisible shield for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health

Among many nutrients, vitamin K2 has shown extraordinary potential in protecting cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. Different from the well-known vitamin K1, vitamin K2 is mainly involved in the maintenance of bone health and cardiovascular system. It prevents vascular calcification by activating a series of vitamin K-dependent proteins, such as matrix Gla protein (MGP) and Gla-rich protein (GRP). , plays a key role in maintaining blood vessel elasticity.

A data from a clinical trial of 53 stable long-term hemodialysis patients showed that after daily supplementation of vitamin K2 (MK-7) at different doses (45, 135, 360 μg) for 6 weeks, vitamin K2 supplementation could induce a decrease in circulating levels of dp-ucMGP (dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated MGP), ucOC(uncarboxylated osteocalcin) and PIVKA-II (vitamin K deficiency-induced protein II) in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 244 postmenopausal women, long-term use of MK-7 supplements (180 µg/day) improved arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women, especially those with higher levels of arterial stiffness. Among them, cfPWV (carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity) and stiffness index beta decreased significantly, while distension, compliance, distensibility, Young's modulus, and cPWV (regional carotid pulse wave velocity) improved in women whose baseline stiffness index beta exceeded the median 10.8. MK-7 reduced dp-ucMGP by 50% compared to placebo.

According to public data from "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine", in a double-blind experiment involving 26 athletes, the experimental group supplemented 300 mg of vitamin K2 daily for four consecutive weeks, and then supplemented 150 mg daily for four consecutive weeks, which could increase maximum cardiac output by 12%. Cardiac output is the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the body (usually measured in "liters per minute"). Increasing cardiac output means that the heart is stronger or the blood vessels are more conducive to blood flow. High cardiac output is associated with high levels of endurance performance. In regular training without vitamin K2 intake, it may take 6 to 9 months of continuous training to achieve this change goal.

4. The demand for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health products is growing, and vitamin K2 helps product innovation and upgrading

Vitamin K2 has also been widely used in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health products. PuritProducts The Artery Pill contains Omega-3 fish oil, vitamin K2 and vitamin D to support artery and heart health. MyTrition also launches a personal nutrition package for women over 50, including multivitamins, Omega-3 fish oil, vitamin K2, chelated Cal-Mag, and phytonutrients. Vitamin K2 helps calcium enter bones and promotes overall cardiovascular health. These innovative products not only meet consumers' diverse needs for health, but also bring new growth points to the market.

Of course, maintaining cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health cannot be achieved by relying on a single nutrient. Only by exercising moderately, staying up late less, eating healthily, and taking preventive measures early can you protect your cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health. Vitamin K2 works two-pronged to introduce calcium into bones, which can promote bone health and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular health at the same time.