Vitamin K2 is a vitamin Thai people rarely talk about, yet it plays a key role in “getting calcium to the right place” · and it is the reason modern vitamin D3 supplements so often include K2 as well · how K2 differs from K1, and how it works alongside D3 · explained simply
not to artery walls
K2 puts it to use
K2 is about bone
Vitamin K comes in two main groups: K1 (found in leafy green vegetables, involved in blood clotting) and K2 (menaquinone, found in fermented foods and animal products, involved in calcium handling) · K2 works by “activating” the proteins that carry calcium into bones and teeth, instead of letting it settle in the wrong places
1 Why D3 and K2 have to work as a pair
- Vitamin D3 — helps your body “absorb” calcium from food into the bloodstream more effectively
- Vitamin K2 — helps “direct” the calcium in your blood to your bones and teeth
- Working together — taking D3 on its own without enough K2 means the calcium you absorb may not end up placed where it should be · having K2 alongside it is exactly why modern formulas combine the two
2 How K1 and K2 differ
| Aspect | K1 (phylloquinone) | K2 (menaquinone) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Leafy green vegetables | Fermented foods (natto), cheese, egg yolk |
| Main role | Blood clotting | Calcium handling / bone |
| Time in the blood | Short | Longer (especially MK-7) |
💡 Did you know? Lipo D3 is vitamin D3 in liposomal form (Liposovit-D3) paired with K2 — D3 helps you absorb calcium, and K2 helps direct that calcium to your bones · a good fit for people who get little sun or who want to look after their bones · Thai FDA 26-1-10867-5-0048 · This is a dietary supplement, not a medicine · anyone on anticoagulant medication (warfarin) should consult a doctor first, because K2 affects blood clotting
3 Who should pay attention to D3 + K2
- People who get little sun — working indoors, avoiding a tan, wearing sunscreen all day long, they often run low on vitamin D
- Older adults — to look after their bones
- People who eat few fermented foods or animal products — they may not get enough K2 from diet alone
⚠️ Important: anyone taking anticoagulant medication (such as warfarin) must always consult a doctor first, because vitamin K has a direct effect on how the medication works
References
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Vitamin K Fact Sheet.
- Maresz K. Proper Calcium Use: Vitamin K2 as a Promoter of Bone and Cardiovascular Health. Integr Med.
- van Ballegooijen AJ, et al. The Synergistic Interplay between Vitamins D and K. Int J Endocrinol.
4 Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What does vitamin K2 help with?
Vitamin K2 plays a role in directing calcium to be deposited in your bones and teeth, and it is associated with vascular health, which is why it is commonly taken together with vitamin D3 so the body can put calcium to appropriate use · It is a dietary supplement, not a medicine, and is not used to prevent or treat any disease
What does vitamin K2 do?
Vitamin K2 helps activate the proteins that carry calcium into bones and teeth, which is why it is often taken alongside vitamin D3, and it is also studied in relation to vascular health. It is a nutrient, not a medicine
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