Why vitamins D3 and K2 work so well together
Both vitamins D3 and K2 are fat-soluble vitamins, meaning that these vitamins are absorbed and transported by the body in a similar way to fats. One of the roles of these two vitamins is to support the body when utilising calcium, strengthening our bones and protecting our hearts.
Vitamin D3, the most consumed vitamin
Vitamin D popularity has increased over the last months, achieving to be the most popular food supplement in the UK according to the Health on the Nation Survey, 2021[1]. This is also because the NHS recommends adults and children to consume vitamin D, especially during autumn and winter. Moreover, there have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of COVID-19, which can be found on the NHS website[2].
Vitamin K2, the unknown vitamin with impressive benefits
However, vitamin K2 is a hot vitamin, researched by the only world leader of Vitamin K2, NattoPharma. This new vitamin contributes to coagulation and is essential in building and maintaining strong bones, as well as supporting the transportation of calcium to the arteries and blood vessels.
Read more about the benefits of this amazing vitamin on our blog
The reason why Vitamin D3 and K2 should always go together
Vitamin D3 and K2 have been found to be some of the few vitamins that better work together. After much scientifical research developed on the synergy between Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2, NattoPharma has confirmed that ‘supplements with D3 should always include vitamin K2 for the best health outcome[1]’ to avoid poor bone quality and higher fracture risk.
AvaCare takes very seriously the research developed by leaders like NattoPharma, reason why we created our D3 products in conjunction with Vitamin K2. We predict that, in a few years any serious Vitamin D product will also contain Vitamin K2.
AvaCare D3 and K2 products include D3+K2 Child and D3+K2 Adult
[1] https://menaq7.com/bettertogether/
[1] https://hfma.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/hfm_health-of-the-nation_17.pdf
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
Vegan alternative food products are sometimes criticised in the media by different professionals in the sector[1] and sometimes are considered worse than non-vegan. However, vegan diets and plant-based products are gaining popularity every year. Only in 2021, 825 new vegan products and menus were launched for Veganuary[2]. This is because Vegan diets are associated with many health benefits due to their low content of saturated fat, cholesterol and contain more dietary fibre.
The Vegan versus non-vegan Myth
Nevertheless, the fact that vegan alternatives are sometimes criticised can drive people to think that vegan solutions are not as good as traditional ones. This misconception has been translated to the food supplement industry, making to think to the society that vegan food supplements are not as good as non-vegan. This is far from the truth!
Supplementation can be key
In any case, when moving to a vegan diet, supplementation is recommended to avoid the risk of certain deficiencies, especially if this has not been planned well, as the NHS recommends[3]. It is important you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your diet at all stages in your life. Overall, vegan diets tend to have a higher content of fibre, folic acid, vitamins C and E, potassium, magnesium. However, not consuming products from animal sources can increase the risk of certain deficiencies of vitamins B-12 and D, calcium, and long-chain n-3 (omega-3) fatty acids[4].
Breaking the myth
AvaCare wants to break all myths regarding vegan vs non-vegan supplements to prove that vegan supplements are as good as non-vegan supplements.
The first reason is the advancement of technology. Thanks to technology development, we can source nutrients from different foods and create products with these active ingredients that have been condensed, so you can help your body by taking the recommended daily dose you need of each nutrient in one go.
Secondly is efficacy. This is a myth that can be easily broken while comparing non-vegan food supplements with vegan alternatives. AvaCare products compete on efficacy with non-vegan alternatives, often surpassing them, whilst providing the recommended daily allowance of each active ingredient.
The last myth is that vegan supplements prices are excessively higher than non-vegan alternatives. Today’s economies of scale due to vegan becoming ever growing in popularity, allows companies that want to develop vegan products to offer them at more sensible prices than in the past. AvaCare has worked on their RRP, so we can offer a high-quality product making excellent nutrition more available to everyone.
Case in Point – Omega 3 Vegan alternative
One of the examples of high-quality and effective Vegan alternatives is the Omega 3 from Algae oil we use in our products. This is a rich source of EPA and DHA alternative to fish oil, which Omega 3 actually comes from the algae they eat. This Omega 3 from Algae oil is also a more sustainable alternative because using algae doesn’t contribute to overfishing.
So are vegan supplements a good option to supplement your vegan diet?
Vegan products can absolutely be even better than non-vegan alternatives and that the misconception around vegan solutions are far from the truth. AvaCare makes high quality products suitable for everyone. For this reason, we have registered all our products with the Vegan Society to demonstrate to our customers that we have worked on meeting the criteria from an internationally recognised organisation. AvaCare’s directors all agree, “there’s no strong reason not to be vegan these days, vegan should be the normal standard”.
Find our full range on the product page of our website
https://avacare.co.uk/shop/
Reference list
[1] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200129-why-vegan-junk-food-may-be-even-worse-for-your-health
[3] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/vegetarian-and-vegan-diets-q-and-a/
[4] https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/89/5/1627S/4596952
It is with great pleasure AvaCare can announce we have awarded Vitakids exclusive distributorship of AvaCare products. VitaKids has 9 specialist stores for family health and nutrition across Singapore. AvaCare products will be made available in all stores and to the many practitioners and private medical practices which Vitakids support.
Ivy Ng, Company CEO at Vitakids commented: “AvaCare in many ways is an ideal brand to work with due to their family focus, values and more practical elements such as their lack of presence on market-places such as third-party e-commerce platforms. British brands have a high demand here [Singapore] coupled with AvaCare’s excellent marketing support we’re looking forward to what we expect to be a very fruitful future”
Training will be delivered by a combination of VitaKids in-house nutritionists and the AvaCare team via video conferencing, the not so new way of doing business these days.
Other territories in which AvaCare is finalising distribution agreements in keeping with its mission are Jordan, Kuwait, Ghana and Nigeria. AvaCare feels it’s exciting times for the food supplement industry as the market is predicted to experience significant growth in the UK and further afield.
Vitakids and AvaCare were introduced to each other through support from the Department of International Trade. The result has been a great success.
Relton Herron, Dad and Director at AvaCare commented: “Vitakids dedicated team and processes made it clear from the outset that we share the same family values, audiences and ways of doing business. It is AvaCare’s desire to work with distributors that will amplify our passion for good nutritional support through practitioners and specialist led stores. We firmly believe Vitakids is a perfect partner to help us achieve this”
About VitaKids Ltd
VitaKids has been a favourite one-stop shop for health-conscious families in Singapore and beyond for more than a decade since 2002. With a wide range of trusted health supplement and natural remedy brands, great-tasting natural/ organic foods, gentle personal care products and eco-friendly household cleaning agents, families can stay healthy together and children receive the best they can get to build a healthy foundation for life. VitaKids’ mission is to believe that empowerment comes through awareness and knowledge of preventive and therapeutic healthcare through natural modalities.
AvaCare’s Vitamin K2 Spray is a unique best-in-market product backed by clinical trials. Clinical studies show that Vitamin K2 is an under-consumed nutrient that is very difficult to obtain from diet alone. AvaCare’s products offer a perfect combination with Vitamin D3 as well as a product on its own, to support bone and circulatory health, for your family.
Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 was relatively unknown up until a couple of years ago but has recently been given more attention due to its impressive benefits and scientific research, conducted by NattoPharma.
The only scientifically researched K2
AvaCare only uses NattoPharma’s MenaQ7®, the actual source material for more than 20 published human clinical trials confirming the health benefits of Vitamin K2 as MK-7, and the only scientifically researched K2 available proven to be absolutely safe and effective for both child and adults.
AvaCare’s K2
AvaCare launched its K2 spray in September 2020 to provide support in maintaining normal bone health and contributes to normal blood coagulation. The uniqueness of AvaCare’s K2 range begins with its liquid form, meaning it’s highly absorbable, and its age-specific doses, which are based on scientific research:
- For adults, research confirms doses as low as 45 mcg/day can positively impact bone and cardiovascular health in adults, but the most dramatic results were seen with 180 mcg/day [ref. 1,2]. AvaCare’s Adult K2 has 180mcg per dose.
- For children, the clinically proven dose for children is 45-50 mcg/day. A 2009 study of healthy children aged 6-10 years who took 45 mcg of K2 a day resulted in more active Osteocalcin, leading to stronger, denser bones [3]. And a 2013 study of children and teens given K2 and vitamin D daily showed improvements in bone mineral density [4]. AvaCare’s doses for 9-12 year olds is 45mcg, whilst the other age brackets are in line with the EU’s NRV’s for Vitamin K1 (the NRV specifically for vitamin K2 has not been established yet).
AvaCare’s product range is 100% Vegan with each product registered with the Vegan Society. The amber bottle and packaging for AvaCare’s K2 range is 100% recyclable.
References:
1 Knapen MHJ, et al. Three-Year Low-Dose Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Helps Decrease Bone Loss in Healthy Postmenopausal Women. Osteoporosis Int. 24 (9), 2499–2507 (2013).
2 Knapen MHJ, et al. 2015. Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Improves Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Postmenopausal Women: Double-Blind Randomised Clinical Trial, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 113(5): 1135-1144.
3 van Summeren, et al. The effect of menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) supplementation on osteocalcin carboxylation in healthy prepubertal children. Br J Nutr (2009) 102(8): 1171-8.
4 Ozdemir MA, et al. The Efficacy of Vitamin K2 and Calcitriol Combination on Thalassemic Osteopathy. J. Pediatr. Hematol. Oncol. 35 (8), 623–627 (2013).
Taking the right vitamins is important. The food supplement market is plenty of options and we know you have asked yourself many times “what vitamins I should take?”’. This article will help you to understand the vitamins that you and your loved ones should take, looking at the benefits of different groups of vitamins and how different AvaCare products can help you accordingly.
The most consumed food supplements across all demographics* are Multi-vitamins, Omega 3’s and Vitamin D3.
Multi-vitamins
Multi-vitamins are preparations that include a combination of different vitamins and minerals to cover the most general requirements of your body. These products usually contain vitamins A, B, C & D and minerals like iron.
- Vitamin A: strengthens immune system and helps to maintain normal vision & skin.
- Vitamins B: help with energy release and support cognitive development. Vitamin B12 also is required for the development and function of the nervous system (the center of all mental activity including thought, learning, and memory) and its source is animal-based food. Therefore, if you have a vegan diet, you should take food supplements with vitamin B12 to meet this need.
- Vitamin C: essential for a healthy immune system and absorbing dietary iron.
- Vitamin D: is essential for bones, teeth and muscle growth and development. Also supports the immune system.
AvaCare multi-vitamin products include Baby Multi-vitamin Drops and Child Multi-vitamins & Mineral + Omega 3. These products cover the NHS daily recommendation for babies from 6 months, in two products designed with your children development in mind.
Omega 3’s
Omega 3 is essential for brain function and helps improve concentration. It can help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and contributes to a healthy vision.
Omega 3 is also important for pregnant or breastfeeding women as it can help with the development of the baby’s nervous system.
AvaCare Omega 3 products include Omega 3 Child and Omega 3 Adult. As all AvaCare products, both are Vegan, therefore the Omega 3 comes from Algae. However, their effectiveness competes with non-vegan alternatives. These products have been designed for children from 3 years and adults & teenagers from 12 years accordingly.
Vitamin D3
This vitamin is only found in a few foods and the main source is summer sunlight on our skin. Lack of this vitamin can lead to bone deformities or bone pain. The NHS recommends everyone taking supplements containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D, especially during the autumn and winter. This vitamin also supports the immune system and it has been found a link between adequate level in blood of vitamin D with better COVID-19 recovery.
AvaCare D3 products include D3+K2 Child and D3+K2 Adult. We have combined two vitamins that work perfectly together, vitamin D3 with K2. While Vitamin D3 contributes to the absorption of calcium and phosphorous, and to the maintenance of bones, teeth and muscle functions, Vitamin K2’s ability is to aid the transport of calcium away from the arteries and deposit it into the bones, where it is really needed.
So what vitamins are best for me?
If you only want to have one product or want to give your children only one solution (we know children can sometimes be hard to take anything!) we recommend you to take a multi-vitamin that includes a mix of different vitamins and minerals to cover your daily requirements.
If you have specific requirements or you have recently changed your diet, we recommend you to understand the benefits of each group of vitamins, and choose a product based on the deficiency you may be suffering. At any time, we encourage you to seek professional advice, specially if you or your children are under medical supervision or may have food allergies.
AvaCare can help you to achieve your vitamin requirements with our products, which you can find in our stockists’ stores. Have a look at our where to buy page to find our stockists.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
*(based on research carried by Food Standards (2018))