Keeping optimal oral health involves balancing act of several factors. Without any doubt, you must brush your teeth properly and floss daily, but maintaining a good diet that supports remineralization and balances mouth microbiome is even more important. Your tooth-friendly diet should include foods high in vitamin K2. Why is this vitamin so essential? Let’s figure it out.
Vitamin k2 and its role in the metabolism
Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin naturally produced in small amounts by the gut. However, the process of converting vitamin K1 to K2 isn’t possible in an unhealthy gut, which most of us have. Therefore, it’s important to get this vitamin from the diet or through supplementation.
Vitamin K2 transports calcium into your bones to improve mineral density and heal fractures. This vitamin also prevents and even removes dangerous arterial calcification, which is associated with heart failure, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac hypertrophy. Vitamin K2 is also involved in the treatment of many health issues like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, infertility, and tooth decay. Scientists have found that most people are deficient in this nutrient. This is due to the fact that we aren’t eating enough foods containing vitamin K2 like pastured poultry and eggs.
Symptoms of vitamin K2 Deficiency
Vitamin k2 deficiency manifests itself in several signs including:
- Kidney stones
- Plagued arteries
- Cavities
- Insulin resistance
- A diet that is poor in vitamin K2 foods
- Frequent bone fractures
- Varicose veins
While there is no specific blood test to recognize vitamin K2 deficiency, it’s never too late to start eating more foods rich in vitamin K2 that can increase your levels of this essential nutrient and support dental health.
Foods high in vitamin K2
Here is the list of the richest vitamin K2 foods:
- Goose liver pate
- Natto
- Soft cheeses
- Goose legs
- Egg yolk
- Hard cheeses
- Butter
- Chicken liver
Keep in mind that factory-farmed meat and diary always have much lower levels of vitamin K2 as these animals are not exposed to chlorophyll like grass-fed animals. Eating grass-fed meat, eggs, and dairy is the only way to provide your body with a sufficient amount of vitamin K2.
Effects of vitamin K2 on dental and overall health
1. Kills bad oral bacteria
Getting enough vitamin K2 keeps oral microbiome balanced and thus prevents tooth decay. If you suffer from frequent cavities, talk to your family dentist about vitamin K2 supplements.
2. Can slow down tooth degradation
Since vitamin K2 transports calcium to where it’s supposed to be, most specialists agree that K2 can slow down tooth loss and even prevent osteoporosis. Moreover, vitamin K2 can increase bone mass.
3. Promotes dentin growth
K2 activates the production of osteocalcin, which, in turn, promotes dentin growth. Combined with vitamins A and D, this vitamin will reduce the number and frequency of cavities.
4. Maintains overall health
Yes, vitamin K2 is not only good for your teeth, but it can also help you maintain your overall health. According to recent research, vitamin K2 plays a huge role in treating or preventing the following health issues:
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Thrombosis
- Alzheimer’s
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Kidney disease
- Cancer
- Infertility
5. Provides normal facial structure
Vitamin K2 may be essential for the proper development of facial bones in children. Many experts believe that the lack of K2 in a mother’s diets can lead to a more frequent need for braces and other oral interventions. Providing the body with enough vitamin K2 might be the most important step in protecting the smiles of children.
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