Drink Water

Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold.”

-Zelda Fitzgerald

Moving on From Heartache

There is probably no other organ or body part that is mentioned more in literature, television, plays or movies than the heart. From “follow your heart” to “a broken heart,” the heart is responsible for numerous sayings and is at the center of many great literary work’s love stories. But the heart also does so much more. We all experience an ache in our heart at one point or another and the ache or tightness in the chest we feel after feeling sad or stressed is a physical reaction to emotional stress. Emotional pain has been found to trigger the same brain regions as physical pain, which may explain the body’s physical reactions to emotions.5 Outside of our emotions, the heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout the body to the organs. You can feel your heart beat fast after exercise, whether that’s from chasing after your kids, grandkids or attending a workout class. The heart is working to pump more oxygen to your working muscles. With all the responsibilities on the heart’s plate, it’s no wonder that heart issues are a leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, per the CDC.

Listen To the Heart Research

While it’s imperative to listen to what your doctor has to say, making sure your heart has the right nutrients can help give it the extra TLC it needs. Vitamin K2, specifically MK-7, has been widely researched for hearthealthy benefits.6-8

Research Has Shown:

• If at least 32 mcg of vitamin K2 is present in the diet, then the risks for blood-vessel calcification and heart problems are significantly lowered.6 • High-intake of vitamin K2 was associated with protection against cardiovascular events.7 • Long-term use of MK-7 supplements (found in vitamin

K2) improved arterial stiffness, which is related to hypertension and high blood pressure, in healthy postmenopausal women.8 Being aware of how to take care of the heart can help it perform its functions so you can keep living an active life. If you have heart concerns, consult with your doctor and consider our K2 Complete supplement so you don’t fall victim to heart disease. Also, if you are currently taking anticoagulants, blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, consult your doctor before taking K2 Complete.

References

1. Maresz K. Proper Calcium Use: Vitamin K2 as a Promoter of Bone and Cardiovascular Health. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015;14(1):34-39. 2. McFarlin BK, Henning AL, Venable AS. Oral Consumption of Vitamin K2 for 8 Weeks Associated With Increased Maximal Cardiac Output During Exercise. Altern

Ther Health Med. 2017;23(4):26-32. 3. Riphagen IJ, van der Molen JC, van Faassen M, Navis G, de Borst MH, Muskiet FA, et al. Measurement of plasma vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and K2 (menaquinones-4 and -7) using HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2016;54(7):1201–1210. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2015-0864. 4. van Ballegooijen AJ, Beulens JW. The Role of Vitamin K Status in Cardiovascular Health: Evidence from Observational and Clinical Studies. Curr Nutr Rep. 2017;6(3):197-205. doi:10.1007/s13668-017-0208-8 5. Kross, E., et al. “Social Rejection Shares Somatosensory Representations with Physical Pain.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 108, no. 15, 2011, pp. 6270–6275., doi:10.1073/pnas.1102693108. 6. Geleijnse JM, Vermeer C, Grobbee DE, et al. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study.

J Nutr. 2004;134(11):3100–3105. 7. Gast GC, de Roos NM, Sluijs I, et al. A high menaquinone intake reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2009;19(7):504–510. 8. Knapen MH, Braam LA, Drummen NE, Bekers O, Hoeks AP, Vermeer C. Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women. A double-blind randomised clinical trial. Thromb Haemost. 2015;113(5):1135-1144. doi:10.1160/TH14-08-0675