VITAMIN D needs Magnesium and Vitamin K2!

Many people are aware of the necessity of taking supplemental Vitamin D, especially in the months between September and May in our part of the world.

In the summer months our bodies naturally make this essential Vitamin, from the sun exposure.

Either way, if we have increased Vitamin D from sun exposure or supplementation it is important to also take Vitamin K2 and Magnesium.

Mislabeled as a “Vitamin”, it really acts as a steroid in the body.

It is essential for the absorption and regulation of Calcium and Phosphorus in the body which is why it is known in relationship to bone health, but it also has a powerful effect on the cardiovascular system, blood sugar regulation and the immune system. Therefore, a low blood level of Vitamin D raises your risk for a wide range of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, including breast cancer, neuropsychiatric disorders and autoimmune diseases.

For this reason many people have been supplementing with Vitamin D, but if you are doing so or planning to there are some important things you should know.

All the vitamins, nutrients and hormones in the body work together in a symphony. Vitamin D requires the presence of adequate levels of Calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin K2 and Magnesium to work efficiently. Magnesium in particular is necessary for Vitamin D to be converted to its active form in the body. If we increase our Vitamin D level either through supplementation or more time in the sun our body will use our stores of Magnesium to activate the Vitamin D and this can cause a Magnesium deficiency for the multitude of functions Magnesium has in the body. This is on top of the fact that Magnesium is already one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in the general population.

If you are taking Vitamin D supplements, I recommend that everyone take a Magnesium supplement (different forms have different effects but this is another blog) daily with meals. Also, make sure it is combined with Vitamin K2. A future blog will cover testing for optimal blood levels and the dangers of taking too much Vitamin D.

To learn more on this topic download our handout on our Resources page.

References

1. Vitamin D toxicity redefined: vitamin K and the molecular mechanism. Christopher Masterjohn¹2007;68(5):1026-34. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17145139/
2. Article on Vitamin D from the Institute of Medicine https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK56061/#ch3.s1