Calcium and Vitamin K2: How They Work Together in the Body
Calcium and vitamin K2 are often spoken about together, and for good reason. Each plays its own role in the body, yet they are closely connected in how they work alongside one another. Rather than acting in isolation, this pairing forms part of a broader nutritional picture that supports the body’s natural processes every day.
Bone is not a solid, lifeless structure – it is living tissue made up of a hard outer layer and a spongy inner structure. In fact, the entire skeleton is gradually renewed over about 7 to 10 years (1). Bone is constantly being broken down and rebuilt in a process called bone remodelling (1). Special cells called osteoclasts break down old bone, while osteoblasts build new bone (1). When bone formation stays ahead of bone breakdown, bones remain strong and healthy (1).
Osteoblasts also produce a protein called osteocalcin (1). This protein helps move calcium from the blood into the bone, where it becomes part of the bone structure, supporting bone strength and helping reduce the likelihood of fractures (1). However, osteocalcin is not active when it is first made. It requires vitamin K2 to be activated so it can properly bind calcium into bone (1).
Not getting enough calcium over time may weaken bones and increase the risk of fractures. Calcium supplementation may help support bone strength and maintain bone density (1). However, some research has raised concerns that excessive calcium supplementation may be linked to increased calcium deposition in blood vessels and soft tissues (1). This is where vitamin K2 becomes relevant in the broader nutritional discussion.
Vitamin K2 has been studied for its role in calcium regulation, including its involvement in preventing calcium from accumulating in blood vessels, which supports normal vascular function (1). Because of this, vitamin K2 is often discussed in relation to how the body processes and utilises calcium (1).
Fun fact: Vitamin K was discovered in 1929 by Danish scientist Henrik Dam while studying chickens on a low-fat diet. He found that bleeding tendencies improved when vitamin K was reintroduced into their diets. The “K” comes from the German word koagulation, meaning clotting (1).
Zinplex® offers a supplement that contains calcium, vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 to support you on your bone health journey. Get your Calvit-K2 here.
References
- Maresz K. Proper calcium use: vitamin K2 as a promoter of bone and cardiovascular health. Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal. 2015 Feb;14(1):34. Available: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4566462/