Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients that play significant roles in maintaining overall health and well-being. These organic compounds and inorganic elements are required in small quantities but are vital for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamins are classified into two categories: water-soluble, which includes Vitamin C and the B vitamins, and fat-soluble, which encompasses Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Minerals, on the other hand, are inorganic substances, such as zinc, which the body also requires to function optimally.
Vitamin K2, a fat-soluble vitamin, is a lesser-known subclass of Vitamin K, which primarily exists in the forms of K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). Vitamin K2’s primary function is to activate proteins that regulate where calcium ends up in the body. This control is vital for maintaining bone density and preventing arterial calcification, thereby playing a crucial role in cardiovascular health.
On the other hand, Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is an essential fat-soluble vitamin produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D3 is crucial for calcium absorption in the intestines, immune system support, and modulation of cell growth. Given its wide-ranging influence, a deficiency in Vitamin D3 can contribute to a variety of health issues, including osteoporosis and compromised immune defenses.
Vitamin C, widely recognized as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that plays a critical role in maintaining the health of various bodily systems. Known for its potent antioxidant properties, Vitamin C is crucial for the synthesis of collagen, the absorption of iron, the proper functioning of the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth.
Vitamins K2 and D3 are crucial micronutrients that play significant roles in maintaining overall health. Vitamin K2, a subset of the vitamin K group, is structurally characterized by its various menaquinone forms, with MK-7 being the most studied. Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, belongs to the vitamin D family and is known for its synthesis in the skin upon exposure to sunlight.