People with osteoporosis are more likely to exhibit hardening of the arteries in their blood vessels (atherosclerosis), and those with atherosclerosis are more likely to possess a lower bone mass (osteoporosis).
In his article, “Brittle Bones and Hardened Arteries: The Hidden Link,” Dr. Julius Goepp said researchers have delineated the complex process by which the body manages calcium uptake, distribution, and deposition. Many of the same factors that regulate healthy calcium levels in bones are also implicated in the destructive accumulation of calcium in arteries. Among those factors are specific proteins called Gla-proteins, found in bone tissue and in vascular walls that require vitamin K for their proper function. Other factors crucial to atherosclerosis and osteoporosis prevention are modulated by vitamin D. These include fat-derived inflammatory cytokines.
Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis, in other words, both involve insufficiencies of vitamin D and K.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D’s roles in the formation and maintenance of healthy bone structure and function have been established for decades. It is a vital co-factor in bone mineralization through the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. Goepp said it also has a definite importance in optimizing cardiovascular calcification by blocking the release of inflammatory cytokines and changes in smooth muscle cells in vessel walls. Accordingly, low vitamin D levels are associated with increased risk for development of the coronary arterial calcification seen in atherosclerosis.
Vitamin D deficiency is also associated with multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease-including hypertension, diabetes, increased carotid artery intima-media thickness, as well as heart attack and stroke.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is not a single nutrient, but rather several related nutritional compounds. These can be produced within the human body but not by the body. Gut flora (beneficial intestinal bacteria) generate about 75 percent of the vitamin K your body absorbs each day, with the other 25 percent coming from dietary sources. Just as importantly, vitamin K is not stored in the body, underscoring the need for daily intake.
It occurs in nature in two primary forms: K1 or phylloquinone and K2 or menaquinone. Vitamin K is a cofactor required to regulate physiological processes controlled by calcium. These include blood coagulation (clotting) and bone mineralization and replenishment of bone tissue. Vitamin K assists in the proper formation of the matrix in which calcium and phosphorus bind together to make solid, well-mineralized bone. Vitamin K has been shown to stimulate new bone formation and reduce the incidence of vertebral fractures.
Goepp said vitamin K insufficiency thus explains the so-called ‘calcification paradox,” whereby older adults suffer a concurrent loss of calcium from their bones and abnormal increases of calcium in their arteries.
Studies further indicate that the amount of vitamin K needed for optimal bone tissue function turns out to be higher than that needed for healthy clot formation. In other words, people with K levels adequate for normal coagulation may still be deficient when it comes to bone health.
Other Factors
We know that boron and zinc improve calcium absorption, copper aids in the formation of bone, and research shows that silica plays an imperative role in bone structure and function. We also know that other trace and micro-trace minerals, are important in the uptake and use of calcium.
Not all supplements are created equal. The RDA value does not describe how the calcium behaves once it enters your body and it does not consider the synergy of the co-factors listed above. Most calcium supplements are not only made of cheap, inorganic calcium carbonate or other forms that are found in minerals deposits, they also do not contain vitamin D3, K, boron, silica, OPC’s and other important elements.
Dynamite Tri-Mins™ contains chelated minerals your body can absorb. Made of the highest quality calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D3, K1, K2 and more, Tri-Mins has what the others lack. When taken in conjunction with Elixir™ and Dynamite Plus™ or Dynamite® for Adults and Children, this combination is what adults need for complete nutritional support.
Information taken largely from, “Brittle Bones and Hardened Arteries: The Hidden Link,” by Dr. Julius Goepp
