Osteoporosis & Heart Disease Linked
April 17, 2009 by Bob Livingston
Studies show an inverse correlation between bone mineral density and calcification of the arteries—a major contributor to heart disease. This means that if our bone mineral density is low, the calcification of our arteries is high. This makes osteoporosis and heart disease twins.
What is the common thread between osteoporosis and heart disease? It’s vitamin D and vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K is commonly known for its ability to activate blood clotting factors, but it is equally important and responsible for the activation of two other important proteins: osteocalcin, which is involved in the mineralization of bone matrix, and matrix Gla protein (MGP), which protects soft tissues from calcification. Vitamin D is also necessary for proper bone mineralization. Vitamin K is needed in smaller amounts than vitamin D to abate toxic effects of soft tissue calcification. Bone health requires both vitamins D and K.
Clinical trials show that vitamin K supplementation increases the activation of osteocalcin, decreasing bone loss and increasing bone mineral density. Gone is osteoporosis and calcification of the arteries. Calcification of the arteries is a clinical predictor of heart disease. And studies show that those with the highest intake of vitamin K have less severe artery calcification.
Can vitamin D and vitamin K reverse artery calcification? There is no evidence that they can but they could stop further calcification. My choice to clean out calcification is oral EDTA chelation.
Warfarin (a blood thinner) does its work by inhibiting vitamin K recycling, causing soft tissue calcification. Those on this drug might consider talking to your doctor about switching to fish oil and cod liver oil, the best natural blood thinners. Otherwise you might change the effect of your prescribed blood thinner. So don’t take them both. It’s vitamin K or Warfarin.
The best vitamin K that I know of is by Standard Process. It is an oil based chlorophyll complex (perle) product containing A, K, E and F. Chlorophyll is the essence of the life-supporting nutritional pattern of the planet earth. Cooking our green foods destroys the chlorophyll content. Most chlorophyll supplements sold are water soluble and mostly void of any nutrition.
Re: Stomach acid, I had a severe case of ulcerative colitus 34 years ago and was told by my doctor and two different gastroentrologists I would need a colostomy within ten years. My initial symptoms were hemoroids then bloody stool, my original doctor had me taking antacids. A friend referred me to an old naturaopatic MD who told me I had a weak adrenal gland and my body was very alkline. He had me take a beef adrenal extract and betaine HCL. I never had the operation and and with close attention to diet and vitamin supplementation my digestion has returned to normal in the past 15 years. Prior to taking those supplements I had symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn and other indications of acidity. The MD had me do the apple cider test. I still take HCL to aid digestion.
what is the apple cider test?
My comments were in response to the “Questions for Bob”
” “Dear Bob,
Doctors recommend antacids, so what is one to do?
Regards,
—Wes P.
Dear Wes,
Your problem is most likely not “too much” acid but a lack of stomach acid causing your problem. My first recommendation is to try apple cider vinegar in water and see if that helps your acid indigestion problem. If it burns, this could indicate an ulcer. You can also supplement with Betaine Hydrochloride to ensure you have adequate HCl to digest your foods. I use Advanced Digestion Solution from Health Resources™.
Best Wishes,
Bob ” ”
If drinking the diluted apple cider vinegar relieves the feeling of “too much acid”, that is an indication that supplental HCL might be of benefit to digestion.