Vitamin K2 is a related but different chemical from vitamin K1.

• Both are fat-soluble.
• K1 is from leafy green vegetable sources, while K2 is from meats, cheeses, eggs.
• K1 is primarily involved in the coagulation process. K2 is involved in bone and vascular tissue calcification.

While large studies (like the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study) showed a minimal impact of K2 on cardiovascular health, these studies did not differentiate between K1 and K2.

The Rotterdam Study did show cardiovascular protection with K2 and none with K1. But "protective" in the Rotterdam study means a decrease in the calcification of coronary arteries.

If you have a plaque, it’s better if it’s calcified and not soft. That’s because a calcified or hard plaque is more stable. Significant risk can come from inflaming a soft plaque, forming a deadly clot, and letting that clot cause stroke or a heart attack.

However, the entire story of how K2 affects plaque is not completely understood years ago. Recent research shows that there's more about K2 than just removing calcium from calcified plaques.

For more information, contact us at 859-721-1414 or myhealth@prevmedheartrisk.com. Also, check out the following resources:

• PrevMed's blog post
• PrevMed's website
• PrevMed's YouTube channel
• PrevMed's Facebook page