Vitamin K2 Benefits and Side Effects
Testosterone is a hormone present in greater quantities in men than women. It is important in libido, bone density, sperm production, and building muscle.
Testosterone levels are at their greatest during adolescence and early adulthood, however it slowly starts to decrease following the age of 30.
Signs of low testosterone include a lower sex drive, fatigue, depression, and increased body fat.
To increase testosterone naturally, you should consider taking a vitamin K2 supplement.
How Does Vitamin K2 Boost Testosterone?
Vitamin K2 is an often disregarded, but essential, vitamin that many people are deficient of. Vitamin K2 differs from vitamin K1. Vitamin K1 is associated with blood clotting. Vitamin K2 is linked to calcium metabolism. It helps eliminate calcium from locations where it should not be, like in the soft tissues and arteries.
This vitamin can be separated into two categories:
MK-4 (menaquinone-4), a type of vitamin K2. It is found in egg yolks and meat.
MK-7 (menaquinone-7), another form present in fermented foods.
Apart from vitamin K2 being vital for our heart health and bone density, there are a lot of other effects linked to vitamin K2 supplementation like increasing testosterone.
Below are several vitamin K2 benefits and side effects.
The Benefits of Using Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 is known for its function in calcium absorption, however it also has many other important roles in keeping the body healthy.
Here are just some of the vitamin K2 benefits you get from adding this nutrient to your diet.
Benefit #1: Can Increase Testosterone Levels
Experts from Japan’s Tohoku University K2 Testosterone researched the effects of the MK-4 version on lab rats.
They fed 75 mg/kg of vitamin K2 (MK-4) to Wistar rats for five weeks while at the same time measured the testosterone from their testicles and blood plasma.
The final results after the fifth week revealed more than a 70% rise in plasma testosterone levels and a 90% increase was found within the testicles.
In the exact same study as above, the researchers examined vitamin K2 (MK-4) incubation on the testicular I-10 cells in a petri dish and discovered the more MK-4 they subjected to the cells, the more testosterone was created.
Benefit #2: Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Calcium deposits within the arteries around the heart can increase your risk for heart disease significantly. Because of this, whatever is effective in reducing this build up of calcium can help protect against heart disease.
This is how vitamin K2 can help. It will prevent calcium from gathering within the arteries. A daily intake of vitamin K2 is strongly linked to a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease.
Benefit #3: Boosts Mental Health
Vitamin K has been demonstrated to be important for the synthesis of Vitamin K2 and sphingolipids , which is an essential fat that helps form the outer wrapping of the nerve.
These important fats are crucial for proper nervous system and brain function. A healthy brain is vital for preventing conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
What Are the Side Effects of Vitamin K2?
The two types of vitamin K are usually safe for most people. Most do not suffer from any vitamin K2 side effects when taking the recommended amount.
A severe allergic reaction to vitamin K2 is unusual. Nevertheless, get medical assistance immediately if you see any indications of an allergic reaction, including:
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Rash
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Itching
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Severe Dizziness
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Difficulty Breathing
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Swelling of the Tongue, Face, and/or Throat
Conclusion
Those who wish to increase their levels of energy, elevate sex drive, and improve muscle strength will experience significant benefits from adding vitamin K2 to their diet.
Using vitamin K2 testosterone supplements might be just what you need to boost testosterone, prevent heart disease, and improve mental health.
If you are using a vitamin K2 bodybuilding supplement, always follow the instructions by the manufacturer.
