Integr Med (Encinitas). 2019 Dec; 18(6): 24–28. PMCID: PMC7238900PMID: 32549853Hogne Vik, MD, PhD, MBA* Copyright and License information PMC DisclaimerIn an ideal world, Vitamin K2 would have the same association with cardiovascular health that folic acid has with pregnancy. Optimal Vitamin K2 intake is crucial to avoid the calcium plaque buildup of atherosclerosis, thus keeping the risk and rate of calcification as low as possible.1-3Matrix GLA protein (MGP)—found in the tissues of the heart, kidneys, and lungs—plays a dominant role in vascular calcium metabolism. Its production is stimulated by Vitamin D3, but it requires adequate Vitamin K2 intakes to be activated (similar to the bone-building protein osteocalcin). Once activated by Vitamin K2, MGP can bind calcium and escort it out of the areas where this mineral is destructive, namely arteries and soft tissues.1,4No other productive mechanism for maintaining flexible blood vessels walls has been discovered, which makes MGP the on...
