Calcium supplementation is important for those that are calcium deficient. Calcium deficiency increases the risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. Calcium is also an important signaling molecule for intracellular communications. Most people can meet their calcium needs through diet alone; however, as you age your body has a harder time replenishing the calcium in the bones from just diet, especially if your diet for most of your life has not been calcium rich.

Calcium supplements are very common; however, those with deficiencies will need to look for higher doses than what you would normally find in a daily multivitamin. Be mindful that there are some conditions that are a contraindication to supplementation.

But what do vitamin K2 and calcium have to do with each other? Well, calcium does this funny thing where it likes to adhere to soft tissues and the walls of your blood vessels which can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Calcium deposits into atherosclerotic plaques for example.

Vitamin K2 can block calcium from attaching to the blood vessels and direct it to your body’s bone mineral matrix structures. Vitamin K2 activates matrix GLA protein (MGP), which is the protein that stops calcium from depositing onto vascular walls. Arterial calcification and stiffening are reduced with adequate levels of vitamin K2 in the body.

If you have been recommended to take calcium you may want to look into also taking a vitamin K2 supplement in conjunction to lower your risk of developing or worsening cardiovascular disease. However, if you are on the blood thinner coumadin, vitamin K2 can lessen the effects of this medication. It is crucial that you speak with your physician before adding Vitamin K2 to your diet if you take this medication.