Vitamin K2

What Does Vitamin K2 Do?

Vitamin K2, specifically in the Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) form, is a fat-soluble vitamin that acts as a traffic controller for calcium in your body. While Vitamin D helps you absorb calcium, K2 ensures that calcium actually reaches your bones and teeth rather than depositing in your arteries or soft tissues.

• Bone Mineral Density: It activates osteocalcin, a protein required to bind calcium to the bone matrix, which is vital for athletes putting their skeletal system under heavy mechanical load.
• Cardiovascular Protection: By activating Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), K2 helps prevent vascular calcification, maintaining the arterial elasticity necessary for efficient blood flow during intense training.
• Hormonal Support: Emerging research suggests Vitamin K2 may play a role in supporting endogenous testosterone production by acting on specific enzymes within the Leydig cells of the testes.
• Synergistic Recovery: It works in tandem with Vitamin D3 to regulate calcium metabolism, preventing the "calcification" of joints and tendons that can occur with long-term high-impact exercise.

Clinical vs. Gym Bro Dosing

Key Insight: Vitamin K2 is fat-soluble, meaning it requires dietary fat to be absorbed. If your pre-workout is a powder mixed with water on an empty stomach, the absorption of K2 will be significantly lower than if taken with a meal or a fish oil capsule.

Side Effects & Warnings

• Blood Clotting Interference: Vitamin K2 is naturally involved in the body's blood-clotting process; while safe for most, it can be problematic for those on specific medications.
• Mild GI Distress: In very rare cases, high supplemental doses taken without food may cause minor stomach cramping or nausea.

Contraindications: If you are currently prescribed blood thinners (anticoagulants) such as Warfarin or Coumadin, you must consult your physician before using any supplement containing Vitamin K2, as it can directly counteract the medication's effectiveness.