Vitamins

Vitamins can – in contrast to so-called Vitaminoids – are not produced by our body, which is why they have to be constantly supplied from outside. They ensure that the metabolism functions properly, they strengthen the immune system and are indispensable in building cells, blood cells, bones and teeth. They also regulate the utilization of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and minerals.

A distinction is made between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins. Vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble vitamins, whereas e.g. Vitamins C and B are water-soluble. Therefore, vitamin D3 and K2 should always be taken in a fat solution.

Vitamin K

It owes its name to the fact that vitamin K is involved in blood clotting (=coagulation). The K vitamins are divided into vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinone). Vitamin K1 is found primarily ina in the leaves of green plants, where it is needed for photosynthesis (e.g. in spinach and broccoli). Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is produced by microorganisms and is therefore primarily found ina in fermented foods such as sauerkraut or some types of cheese. A certain amount of vitamin K2 is also produced in the human intestine. It can i.dR. Only a very small part of the daily vitamin K2 requirement can be covered through food.

That studies and proven positive effects for the organism to date have been mainly.a for vitamin K2 (for K1 v.a known to activate the coagulation factor prothrombin in the liver), is probably due to its significantly higher bioavailability and metabolism compared to vitamin K1. Only ~10% of the latter is absorbed through the intestinal mucosa - the rest is broken down in the liver. Vitamin K2, on the other hand, is almost 100% absorbed because, unlike K11, it does not remain in the liver, but passes from there into the bloodstream and tissue.

A possible undersupply of vitamin K2 can, in addition to the diet, also be due to a disturbed intestinal flora - because part of the vitamin K2 is formed in the intestine. A disruption of the intestinal flora can be due to certain diseases such as Crohn's disease or to the use of antibiotics, anti-epileptic drugs or laxatives.

It should be noted that vitamin K2 exists in various variants, which differ in terms of the length of the chemical side arms (these are referred to as MK4 (menaquinone-4) to MK13 - MK4 and MK7 are the best known and best researched to date variants) or in terms of their spatial structure (cis or trans variant). Cis isomers are formed v.a when the K2 vitamin is produced synthetically and is not obtained through natural fermentation.

The most effective form of the K2 vitamins is Menaquinone-7, also called MK7, as it remains available in the blood for over 72 hours, while the majority of MK4 is available after just a few due to poorer binding in the blood hours is excreted. Since the body can only utilize the trans variant, it is important to pay attention to this declaration when comparing products. The higher the trans content, the better. If the trans content is greater than 98%, the corresponding product can be called “all-trans”.

Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 needs sunlight to be synthesized by the body. This applies to 80–90% of vitamin D3, because the average German only consumes 2.5 µg of vitamin D through food (e.g. about fish, eggs or mushrooms).

A corresponding result is a vitamin D3 deficiency.a from low sunlight exposure; this is v. in our latitudes.a This is the case in the months October to March. But pregnancy, menopause or puberty can also contribute to a vitamin D3 deficiency due to hormonal changes. And finally, with age, the body's ability to synthesize vitamin D3 decreases, so that vitamin D3 deficiency is more common in seniors than in younger people. This is v.a therefore critical because cancer and many other chronic diseases occur more frequently in this phase of life. So it makes sense when naturopathy insists on getting “out into the fresh air”. Because there we can recharge our batteries with solar energy even when the sky is overcast.

According to studies by the Robert Koch Institute from 2016, only 38.4% of adults in Germany have an adequate supply of vitamin D. (Source: https://edoc.rki.de/handle/176904/2492)

In the Journal of Health Monitoring 2016 1(2) of the Robert Koch Institute on pages 36 ff it says:

“An important function of vitamin D is its involvement in bone metabolism. Among other things, it promotes the absorption of calcium from the small intestine and the hardening of the bones. A severe and persistent vitamin D deficiency can lead, among other things, to softening of bones and deformations of the skeleton, resulting in rickets in infancy and childhood and osteomalacia in adults. In old age, a vitamin D deficiency can also contribute to the development of osteoporosis. In recent years, observational studies have also found connections between low vitamin D levels and various chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease or cancer [.] Due to the fact that only a few foods, such as fish with a high fat content or mushrooms, contain vitamin D in sufficient quantities, self-synthesis contributes the largest part to the supply with an estimated proportion of 80% to 90%. The radiation required for this only comes all year round in regions below the 35th. latitude. At higher latitudes, the intensity and duration of adequate radiation decreases and vitamin D production becomes dependent on the season. This also applies to Germany, which was founded between the 47th and 55. latitude lies. […] Older people and people who rarely go outdoors or only spend time outdoors with their skin covered are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency (e.g. b due to need for care or religious or cultural reasons) or have a dark skin color. This also includes people who have chronic gastrointestinal, liver or kidney diseases or who take medications that impair vitamin D metabolism (e.g. b antiepileptics or cytostatics)."

Just like Vitamin K, Vitamin D also comes in different versions. That v.a The fact that Vitamin D3 is used in dietary supplements is probably due to the fact that it increases the vitamin D level approx. twice as effective as vitamin D2. This is probably due to the better absorption capacity and longer retention of vitamin D3 in the bloodstream (source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28679555/)

Benefits and mode of action

The following Health Claims are now permitted for vitamins K and D, provided that certain requirements are met.a concerning. the dosage is met:

• Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system
• Vitamin D has a function in cell division
• Vitamin D contributes to the normal absorption/utilization of calcium and phosphorus
• Vitamin D contributes to normal calcium levels in the blood
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal bones
• Vitamin D contributes to maintaining normal muscle function
• Vitamin D contributes to the maintenance of normal teeth
• Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting
• Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones

 

Vitamin K2 is required for activation of the bone protein osteocalcin. An increased level of non-activated osteocalcin leads to lower bone density and thus an increased risk of fracture. If there is a deficiency of vitamin K2, too little calcium is stored in the bones and osteoporosis can develop. Studies have shown that vitamin K2 can significantly reduce bone loss in osteoporosis patients (from a dose of 180 µg vitamin K2 per day). If Vitamin D3 is administered at the same time, the two vitamins work synergistically and the bone density increases. On the other hand, osteoporosis must not be treated with high doses of vitamin D3 alone.

An important role is played by Vitamin K in connection with calcium. Calcium is essential for stable bones and teeth; On the other hand, in the form of deposits in the blood vessels with the risk of coronary diseases, it is extremely undesirable. And here vitamin K2 plays a crucial role by making calcium usable by the organism and activating certain proteins such as osteocalcin or the matrix GLA protein. Without vitamin K, these proteins remain ineffective and cannot do their job in the body. Osteocalcin regulates the mineralization of bones and teeth and ensures that calcium is absorbed into the bones. The matrix GLA protein ensures that calcium is not deposited in the vessels, but rather binds and transports it away.
This is exactly the mechanism by which K2 prevents osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis:

If there is a deficiency of vitamin D, the bone-building cells (osteoblasts) decrease and the bone volume decreases. This can be corrected by taking vitamin D and more osteoblasts are formed again. However, vitamin D also promotes the maturation of bone-degrading cells (osteoclasts) and thus indirectly promotes bone loss. This effect of vitamin D is suppressed by taking vitamin K2 at the same time. Furthermore, as described above, vitamin K2 is essential for the body's production of osteocalcin, a protein that is involved in bone mineralization.

The so-called “Rotterdam Study” has shown that people who have consumed larger amounts of vitamin K2 over 10 years have significantly less calcium deposits in the arteries and generally have significantly better heart health. circulatory health than others.

Sunbathing was already practiced earlier, for example. medically used for tuberculosis sufferers or people who had to work underground. It has been known since 1980 that sunlight has a positive effect on even serious illnesses: Cedric Garland, an epidemiologist at the University of California, showed in a study that many types of cancer were far less common in regions where the sun shone more often. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1470481/ International population studies later confirmed this connection.

Qidosha products

The QIDOSHA product combines the high-quality vitamins D3 & K2 in the ideal dosage in one preparation. MK7 (menaquinone-7) contains the form of vitamin K2 that has the highest bioavailability, is more fat-soluble and circulates in the blood the longest. The trans content relevant to effectiveness is greater than 98%, making it an “all-trans” product.

Unlike other dietary supplements, we chose oil as the dosage form for vitamins K2 and D3 because both K2 and D3 are fat-soluble vitamins and studies such as those by Traub et al. from 2014 suggest a higher absorption of the body with drops/oil as a dosage form than with tablets or capsules.

Since vitamins K2 and D3 are dependent on each other, their dosage should always be coordinated. Since K2 activates the proteins formed by vitamin D (seeO), it is conceivable that with a higher vitamin D supply to the organism, a vitamin K2 deficiency can easily arise, as more vitamin K is used for protein activation. Some studies have shown that a generally useful, high vitamin D level can even increase the risk of bone fractures if there is a simultaneous vitamin K deficiency. That's why we don't offer mono preparations with just one of the two vitamins, but rather this combination preparation with a perfectly balanced combination of the two vitamins.