At a glance:
- 4 in 10 adults in the world do not get enough Vitamin D – and some also don’t get enough Vitamin K.
- Vitamin D3 is essential for multiple health benefits, including immune health, strong bones and cardiovascular health.
- Vitamin K2 (when paired with D3) supports proper calcium transportation and absorption into the bones.*
- These nutrients work synergistically, meaning they are better together than individually.*
- While most D3 and K2 supplements come from animal sources, ours is 100% plant-derived, vegetarian and both Kosher and Halal.
- Our Organic Vitamin D3 + K2 is sourced from sustainable, plant-derived and soy-free ingredients.*
- It delivers 5,000 IU of VegD3® Vitamin D3 and 90 mcg of soy-free K2VITAL® Vitamin K2 MK-7.*
Like peanut butter and jelly or salt and pepper, some combinations create synergy that’s greater than the sum of the individual parts. Consider Vitamins D and K, two essential nutrients that work better together. But, not all forms are equal – and there are some key factors in D3 and K2 Vitamins you need to look for when choosing a supplement.
Vitamin D helps regulate the body’s calcium and phosphate levels, which helps keep muscles, bones and teeth strong and healthy. Plus, this Vitamin plays a role in immune health.* When paired with Vitamin K, the two nutrients help the body use calcium properly, which supports cardiovascular and bone health.* Vitamin K is necessary for making certain proteins for blood clotting and bone building.*
Read on to learn why certain forms (D3 and K2) are better than others – and how to choose the best D3 and K2 Vitamins.* Plus, you will learn which foods provide these nutrients and what they do for the body.
What is Vitamin D3?
The two most common forms of Vitamin D are D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is known as ergocalciferol and Vitamin D3 is known as cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 is mostly found in plant-based sources and fortified foods like cereals, dairy and plant “milks,” while Vitamin D3 usually comes from animal-based foods. D3 is the form of Vitamin D your skin makes when exposed to sunlight, but four in 10 people worldwide are believed to fall short on their Vitamin D intake. This happens for many reasons, but it can be due to location (getting adequate Vitamin D from short periods of sun exposure is harder the farther you are from the Equator) and simply not spending time outdoors.
Vitamins D2 and D3 do not work the same way when it comes to increasing the amount of this fat-soluble Vitamin that is found in your body. Both forms can be absorbed into the bloodstream, but D3 appears to be more effectively metabolized by the liver. (This process is essential for creating the main form of Vitamin D that circulates in your body, calcifediol.)
For this reason, many people choose Vitamin D3 supplements over D2 versions. But D3 prefers not to work alone.
What is Vitamin K2?
As with Vitamin D, Vitamin K comes in more than one form. It is important for heart health and blood coagulation (clotting), and it works with Vitamin D to ensure calcium is properly absorbed into the bones rather than building up elsewhere in the body.
Vitamin K1 is known as phylloquinone. It is found in plant-based foods including dark leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. Vitamin K2 is known as menaquinone and found in both animal and fermented foods. K2 gets broken down even further, and the most important forms are MK-4 and MK-7. You will hear more about MK-7 soon.
Vitamin K2 is hard to source in the average diet, so that’s why many people choose to take this essential fat-soluble Vitamin in supplement form. K2 is mostly found in animal foods, but lean proteins and low-fat animal products don’t deliver much (due to is being a fat-soluble nutrient).
7 Key Factors in D3 + K2 Vitamins
Here are some important factors to consider when choosing a Vitamin that contains D3 and K2. Enzymedica always scours the planet for the finest ingredients, and that includes the optimal forms of each essential nutrient, backed by the latest scientific research.
1. Fat-soluble essential nutrients.
Nutrients are “essential” when the body cannot produce them on its own. These include vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Essential nutrients have to be consumed via the foods we eat or in supplement form.
Some Vitamins are water-soluble while others are fat-soluble. Fat-soluble Vitamins are more readily found in higher-fat foods, and they do not dissolve in water. Vitamin D and Vitamin K are fat-soluble, as are Vitamins A and E. (Vitamin C and the B Vitamins, including folate, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12, are water-soluble, meaning they dissolve in water.)
2. Better together.
Nothing in the body happens in a vacuum. When it comes to D3 and K2, they are better together, two peas in a pod. They work together to help ensure proper absorption of calcium into the bones.* In turn, by taking Vitamins D3 and K2 together, they promote bone strength.* We include 5,000 IU of VegD3® Vitamin D3 and 90 mcg of soy-free K2VITAL® Vitamin K2 MK-7.*
3. Immune health.*
Your immune system shows up for you every single day of your life. Keeping it in tip-top shape takes a village, including the help of many different nutrients. In addition to the support offered to bones, Vitamin D3 offers support to the immune system – and so does Vitamin K2.*
4. Bone health.*
Strong and healthy bones help you throughout life, but they are especially important as you age and grow older gracefully. And while calcium is the nutrient that most people think of when they want to maintain the health of their bones and teeth, that mineral is far from the only one on team “bone health.” Your body is all about teamwork! As you’ve learned, both Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 do their fair share as well. These unsung heroes of bone health make sure that the calcium your body needs to maintain bones and teeth is used for just that – and not deposited elsewhere in the body, such as in soft tissues or the arteries.*
5. Microbiome fuel.*
You know that phrase, “when mama is happy, everyone is happy”? Well, think of your microbiome as “mama.” When the microbiome is happy, the rest of your body can thrive. And, since up to 70% of your immune system resides in your gut, supporting this powerhouse in turn supports your immune health.*
Does your D3 + K2 also show your microbiome some love? Enzymedica’s includes inulin sourced from organic blue agave to do just that. Inulin is a dietary fiber that acts as a prebiotic and promotes a healthy digestive system and immune system. It also has a low glycemic index.* (While probiotics are the “good bugs” in your gut, prebiotics are a valuable food source for those probiotics.)
6. Radiant health.*
Shiitake mushrooms are another ingredient that’s part of the Enzymedica’s D3 + K2 formula – for radiant health.* Shiitake mushrooms are known to promote health benefits, including support for the immune system, blood circulation and skin health.* The ones in our formula have been harvested and processed with extreme care, as a way to preserve the potent health-promoting effects of these mushrooms.
7. Check your sources.
As you learned, most fat-soluble Vitamins come from animal foods that are high in dietary fats. While certain forms of Vitamin D and Vitamin K can be obtained through plant-based food sources, most supplements are derived from animal sources. Where does that leave someone following a vegan or vegetarian diet – or who follows a certain diet or excludes certain foods for religious beliefs?
For example, most Vitamin D3 comes from lanolin (sheep’s wool). K2 comes from things like high-fat dairy, organ meats and egg yolks. In supplements, plant-based K2 is often derived from soy, which some need or want to avoid.
We use D3 derived from 100% plant-based, non-GMO and sustainable algae.* It is also organic, so our D3 is more pure – and it does not contain harsh chemicals used in conventional growing and harvesting methods. Our K2 is plant-derived and soy-free. We use K2VITAL® Vitamin K2 MK-7, due to its known bioavailability.* (Bioavailability means that your body can actually put an ingredient to use once you consume it.)
Choosing the Right Vitamin D3 + K2 Formula
Enzymedica’s Vitamin D3 + K2 formula includes organic Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2, shiitake mushrooms and inulin. This unique combination of ingredients delivers three benefits in one single formula!* Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is essential for multiple health benefits, including strong bones and strong immune and cardiovascular systems.* Enzymedica’s Made with Organic D3 supplement uses the preferred form of Vitamin D. Our D3 is both algae-derived and organic.
Enzymedica’s Made with Organic D3 + K2 formula provides 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 and 90 mcg of Vitamin K2 to support immune and bone health.* When combined with Vitamin D3, this soy-free K2, K2VITAL® supports the proper transportation and absorption of calcium into the bones.* Like Vitamin D3, Vitamin K2 is an essential Vitamin, meaning the body cannot make it, so it must be obtained through diet or supplements. Supplementing with D3 alone is not enough. Combining both essential Vitamins means that the Vitamin D3 can help ensure that calcium gets properly absorbed into the bones.*
About Algae-Derived Organic D3
The D3 found in Enzymedica’s Made with Organic D3 + Vitamin K2 comes from sustainably sourced and organic algae – not lanolin like some other D3 supplements. The benefit of using organic D3 is that it is purer and does not contain harsh chemicals that are used in conventional harvesting methods.
Why choose algae and not lichens? Compared with lichen-based vegan sources of D3, this patented form from algae is 100% pure D3 (it contains no D2). It is a 1:1 direct replacement for lanolin-based cholecalciferol and offers superior stability over lichen D3. VegD3® is 100% sustainable and fully traceable, as it is grown in a controlled environment in Europe. (Lichen must be removed from an existing ecosystem, which can have a negative impact and carries a risk for contamination.) VegD3® also has no noticeable taste or color.
About Soy-Free K2VITAL®
In addition to 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 (625% DV), Enzymedica’s new formula contains 90 mcg of soy-free K2 for immune and bone support.* When combined, the two fat-soluble essential Vitamins support the proper transportation and absorption of calcium into the bones.* Enzymedica uses a superior MK-7 form of K2 called K2VITAL®, which has been proven to deliver the highest bioavailability.* This potent form of K2 is derived from plants.*
K2VITAL® is the Menaquinone 7 version of Vitamin K2 and is understood to have a high bioavailability. Kappa Bioscience created K2VITAL®, and their pursuit of excellence required the development of many of the MK-7 testing methods used today. K2VITAL® is a stable, form of Vitamin K. Vitamin K2 is often found in fermented foods, which the US diet has been lacking over the past 100 years. With commercialization and the increase in processed foods, Vitamin K2 deficiency has been on the rise.
Enzymedica’s Made with Organic D3 + K2 supplement also includes 150 mg of organic shiitake mushroom powder, which delivers additional immune support.* Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are known to enhance the immune system, blood circulation and health of the skin.* The Shiitake mushrooms we use come from North America, and they are also organic.
Our Made with Organic D3 + K2 is a non-GMO solution to your daily Vitamin D3 and K2 requirements and includes an extra boost for the microbiome.*
How to Take D3 + K2
The recommended usage for Enzymedica’s Made with Organic D3 + K2 supplement is to take 1 capsule daily with food. It is intended only for adults, who should consult with a physician prior to use if they are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition. Warning: If taking a blood-thinning medication (also called an anticoagulant), consult with a health-care professional before using.
This formula contains no gluten, milk, casein, soy, egg, artificial colors or artificial flavors.
Food Sources of Vitamins D and K
Curious about whether you are eating foods that also deliver Vitamin D or Vitamin K? These are the top food sources for each. However, our busy modern lives keep us on the go, reaching for convenience foods that do not always deliver optimal nutrition. That is why many choose to fill in the gaps of their diet by taking a supplement. How often do you eat these foods?
Top foods for Vitamin D
- Cod liver oil
- Wild-caught fatty fish (including salmon, tuna and mackerel)
- Beef or calf liver
- Egg yolks
- Mushrooms exposed to UV light
- Fortified foods (milk, cereal, etc.)
Top foods for Vitamin K
- Green leafy vegetables (collard and turnip greens, spinach, kale, lettuce)
- Brassica vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts)
- Soy and canola oil
Why Trust Enzymedica: Enzymes and So Much More, Since 1998
For over 20 years, Enzymedica has been providing natural health and wellness products of the highest quality and efficacy. Our formulas – from digestive enzyme supplements to Vitamins and omega-3 fatty acid fish oils – are always developed using the same high standards regardless of someone’s particular needs or health goals. And we consistently use the best ingredients available on the planet, each one accompanied by cutting-edge scientific research. Our portfolio of products continues to grow and expand to keep pace with what our customers need and want. We aim to serve new and long-term consumers, for your current and future digestive and overall health needs.*
Here at Enzymedica, the leading brand of digestive enzyme supplements in America, we offer exceptional solutions for natural health and wellness. Every one of our products is uniquely formulated to be as effective as possible. When it comes to overall wellness of your body, mind and spirit, digestion is key.
Enzymedica is first and foremost a global leader in the field of enzymes. We are the most knowledgeable when it comes to enzymes because of our ground-breaking, independent research on enzymes and other natural components. We seek out the highest-quality ingredients at all times and never use artificial fillers or excipients. That's part of Enzymedica's commitment to quality and efficacy. We apply that same approach and breadth of knowledge to our other supplements as well.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a Vitamin D and Vitamin K supplement, think “synergy” – and 1-2-3. Choose one supplement that delivers both K2 and D3. And don’t worry if you need a supplement that is not sourced from animals (as so many tend to be on the market). Ours is derived from plants, it is free from soy – and the D3 comes from sustainable algae, for all the environmentally minded people out there. We hope that this list of seven key factors in D3 and K2 Vitamins was useful in helping you make an informed decision. When it comes to your health and well-being, you always deserve the best – and the whole story behind what you choose to put in your body!
Sources
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41430-020-0558-y
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-HealthProfessional/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24067388/
