Today’s patients are more interested than ever in longevity, and as a doctor of chiropractic you are in an excellent position to help them achieve a longer lifespan and healthspan via natural means. Recommending vitamins D3 and K2, or a supplement that combines the two, should be high on your list of suggestions for longevity-minded patients.
Each offers patients multiple health benefits on its own, plus the synergy of the two enhances their ability to maintain a healthy weight and boost bone and cardiovascular health, all of which are important to living a long, active life.
Vitamin D3 and longevity
Maintaining sufficient vitamin D3 levels is critical for numerous biological processes, and is especially important for health as we age. Research has shown that D3 supports bone health and helps fight osteoporosis, bolsters the immune system, promotes health of the heart and brain, and assists in reducing inflammation, all of which contribute to the aging of cells and body systems.
One animal study in 2016 points to vitamin D’s role in maintaining protein homeostasis, something that tends to get out of balance as we age. Aggregation of damaged proteins in the body contributes to several aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The immune system thrives on vitamin D supplementation as well. It helps ease inflammation, which can calm an overreactive immune system and help prevent autoimmune diseases that result. A 2022 study in British Medical Journal involving several thousand subjects found that five years of vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of autoimmune disease by 22%.
Because it helps regulate levels of calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream, D3 plays a big role in keeping bones healthy and preventing osteoporosis, which is especially important for older women’s health. Many patients may approach osteoporosis prevention by taking calcium supplements, but this is only effective if bones can absorb it in proper amounts, and D3 is critical to facilitating absorption, noted a study in Bone Research. Vitamins D3 and K in combination offer even more bone-related benefits.
Vitamin K, longevity powerhouse
Vitamin D’s list of longevity-enhancing benefits is impressive, but vitamin K shines even brighter when it comes to helping patients live long and healthy lives. Ongoing research continues to uncover new benefits, but so far, vitamin K has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and many more health issues. In fact, one 2014 study found that people with higher levels of vitamin K had a reduced risk of death from all causes, and a study in 2020 concluded that adults with low levels of vitamin K had a 19% greater risk of dying from any cause.
Women at risk of osteoporosis should especially consider vitamin K supplementation. A systematic review in JAMA Internal Medicine concluded that vitamin K helps reduce bone loss. Taken in a form combined with vitamin D3, such as Dee Cee Laboratories’ Vitamins D3 + K2 supplement, it can offer strong protection against the development of osteoporosis, a major condition affecting patients’ lifespan.
D-K combination supplements: Things to think about
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends taking these factors into considering before selecting a dietary supplement:
- The patient’s nutritional needs based on their entire diet
- The patient’s overall health and nutritional status and whether the supplement is safe to take given those conditions
- Whether the supplement may interact with any and all prescription and over-the-counter medications and other dietary supplements the patient is taking
Patients should also remember the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements, so the safety and efficacy of supplements is controlled by individual manufacturers. They should only purchase supplements from manufacturers that perform quality assurance testing and control on their products and make them in an FDA-registered and regulated facility.
For more information on vitamins D3 and K2, visit dclabs.com/search.php?search=vitamin+d.