Vitamin K2: The Missing Nutrient for Heart and Bone Health

By The International Science and Health Foundation

Some people are aware that Vitamin K1 is important for blood clotting, but relatively few are aware of Vitamin K2 and its essential role in bone and heart health. There is now an impressive body of research showing that Vitamin K2 plays an integral role ensuring that our bones grow strong and our hearts and blood vessels remain healthy.

Dr. Dennis Goodman has dedicated himself to researching vitamins and minerals so that he can educate his patients on which supplements to takewho needs them, how much, and why. If you care about your bones and heart healthand no doubt you dothis book is a must read.

With Vitamin K2: The Missing Nutrient for Heart and Bone Health, Dr. Goodman presents the latest and most impressive research studies, as well as insights on diet, exercise, and stress reduction, as a conversation between doctor and patient. Providing clear and concise information, he puts readers on the path to learn more for themselves and continue the conversation with their own doctor.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Mar 18, 2015
• ISBN: 9781496970862

The International Science and Health Foundation

Dennis Goodman, MD, is Director of Integrative Medicine at New York University, where he also serves as Clinical Associate Professor and Cardiologist in the Department of Cardiology and Preventative Medicine. Board certified in Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Lipidology, Cardiac CT Imaging, and Integrative Medicine, he graduated Cum Laude with distinction from the University of Cape Town Medical School in Cape Town, South Africa. Dr. Goodman completed his Internal Medicine residency and was Chief Medical Resident at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA, and completed his cardiology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston TX. A sought-after speaker, he has been a visiting teaching professor throughout South Africa, Asia, and Europe, and has published many articles in addition to three books on heart health.

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Copyright © 2015 by The International Science and Health Foundation. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the copyright holder.

Published by AuthorHouse 03/16/2015

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7087-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4969-7086-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015902515

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Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 What is Vitamin K2?

Chapter 2 How Does Vitamin K2 Protect My Heart?

Chapter 3 Why Is Vitamin K2 Good For Bone Health?

Chapter 4 Why Can’t I Just Take Calcium?

Chapter 5 When Should I Consider Taking Vitamin K2?

Chapter 6 Where Can I Get Vitamin K2?

Chapter 7 What Else Can I Do?

Glossary

Endnotes

Dedicated to Tanya, Adam, Anat, Jonathan, Rebecca, and Roselyn

Foreword

In light of the amazing medical advances made over the last 100 years, one would think we would be a healthier world. In truth, we are living shorter, less healthy lives. While these developments enable doctors to treat diseases and prolong life, most have been created in response to the needs of a population that finds itself growing sicker with each generation.

The advances themselves are godsends; what we need to address is why we are more ill, and how can we stop this sad and disheartening trend.

Part of the issue is that our food no longer nourishes us. Due to overuse of pesticides, soils are deplete of their nutrients. Then any remaining traces of nutritional value are eliminated by processing, manufacturing, and preservatives. So while grocery store shelves are packed with food, we continue to grow less nourished.

One of the reasons I was excited to contribute the Foreword to Dr. Goodman’s beautiful book is that here we have an allopathic medical practitioner who embraces prevention as a key to attaining health. He recognizes the necessity of life-saving medical procedures, but embodies the belief that one of the first responsibilities of the medical community is to help patients establish lifestyles that give them an opportunity to avoid needing those procedures. One important way to do that is to truly examine our diets, physical activity, and stress levels. At the apex of that triangle is making sure we are getting the valuable vitamins and minerals that allow our bodies to operate optimally.

This is just one front where Dr. Goodman and I are likeminded: He and I share the belief that a key nutrient void from most diets that truly have an impact on our global health care crisis is Vitamin K2. Another commonality is that we have separately reached this conclusion by placing the highest possible value on science – that weighing the hypotheses that have already been posed and sifting through mountains of research can not only provide answers, but can lead you to ask the next important question. Further, we share a similar view on education – that it is a great endeavor (and accomplishment) to share knowledge in a way that is accessible for all.

The International Science and Health Foundation is a scientific community independent of business commitments whose activities are based on four main pillars – Innovation, Knowledge, Responsibility, and Cooperation – and are intended to foster a healthy point of view that benefits society. Our mission is to improve the quality of life by providing proper knowledge and supporting the development of science.

The Foundation seeks to attain our socially and economically useful objectives through:

• Initiation, promotion, and support of research programs and educational information

• Organization and funding of conferences, lectures, and readings with the participation of representatives of science, including the health and natural medicine

• Journalistic activities and information through publishing books, magazines, and brochures

• Organization of trade fairs, and co-organizing and assistance to educational institutions; and running educational web services

That is why we decided to develop our most recent education portal: VitaminK2.org. The Foundation was already impressed with the body of research substantiating Vitamin K2’s bone benefits, the early evidence of its cardiovascular benefits, as well as its potential to help child populations. But the verdict was undeniable when I heard a presentation of a study recently published in Thrombosis and Haemostasis: The results of this 3-year clinical trial showed Vitamin K2 actually improved arterial flexibility. What an amazing development!

Further, Vitamink2.org is intended to be a resource for all – consumers and medical professionals alike. Every visitor has access to the latest information pertaining to Vitamin K2, from research and analysis, to ideas about attaining a healthy lifestyle.

Inspired by passionate people who share a desire to explore