Beauty is bone-deep with menaquinone: The vitamin that keeps you young

The critical role of vitamin K2

Menaquinone (or vitamin K2) been referred to as the vitamin that preserves a youthful appearance and I would go so far as to call it the ‘fountain of youth’. Here’s why: The role of vitamin K2 is to regulate calcium deposition from the blood into the bones, including the facial and cranial regions of the skull. Unlike other fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E), vitamin K2 does not remain stored in the body for prolonged periods, so a deficiency of vitamin K2 – not to be confused with potassium (K) – is more common, resulting in weak bones and teeth as well as the build up of calcium in blood vessels, kidneys, and other soft tissue.

As we age, bone atrophies and we lose bone density in the face too. Eye sockets get larger, cheeks hollow out, and the angle of the jaw increases, creating the gaunt and sunken look associated with old age. This can happen even more rapidly if your diet isn’t adequate in nutritious value, or if you consume lots of sugar, salt, caffeine, oxalates, and alcohol which either leach calcium and phosphorus from the bones or prevent absorption into the bones. This leaves calcium circulating in the blood to manifest as blockages and kidney stones, which I’ve been told is more painful than childbirth.

Stop the clock. No knives or needles needed.

Nowadays, there’s a social obsession with wanting to look young, which I have no problem with. I mean, who doesn’t? But I disagree with the methods. Many people opt for quick fixes: plastic surgery, botox, and other injectables, but all these interventions to maintain a youthfully plump, yet chiselled appearance will be a total waste of time and money if the foundation – your bone structure – is withering away. Facial muscles and fat pads sit on top of bone, and so when it comes to looking young from the inside, we should get back to basics: maintain bone health with vitamin K2 which is what ultimately defies one’s age.

Foods that provide vitamin K2

Cruciferous vegetables are an excellent source of vitamin K1 of which excess is converted into K2 by the body, and what’s amazing is that Mother Nature has packaged them perfectly with calcium too. So, by eating broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and kale, you’re getting calcium – a building block of bone – coupled with K2 which transports that calcium into the bone where it’s needed. Healthy sources include:

• Green leafy veggies

• Egg yolks

• Fermented milk (kefir)

• Sauerkraut

• Chicken breast and liver

• Gouda cheese and real butter

Why I supplement with vitamin K2 every day

My mum has osteoporosis, which means my genes are probably loaded too. Failing to get vitamin K2 through diet and supplementation and do regular weight-bearing exercises will certainly pull the trigger, leaving me vulnerable and prone to speedy degradation and immobility later in life.

Here’s how I think about it: We all pray that in our final years we’re spared from being dependent on others to help us with personal tasks such as going to the toilet, bathing oneself, and even the simple act of being able to get up from a chair or out of bed. However, to remain mobile with ease and keep one’s dignity in tact, we have to prioritise skeletal health starting today – without delay! Remember, without a solid frame, muscles have nothing to attach to, and without muscles, your skeleton will fall into a heap as it has no tension to keep it standing.

The body is comprised of interconnected systems, so as we prepare for and navigate the stages of menopause when our estrogen levels plummet, protecting bone density becomes all the more challenging and crucial. Once it’s gone, it’s not coming back. Buy vitamin K2 to preserve the health of your bones while you have it and keep a eye out for my upcoming post that will focus on the impact of hormonal changes on bone density.

Act now. Your future self will thank you xx

Umayya