New Natural Anti-Aging Study Shows Importance of Vitamin K Food Sources

Natural anti-aging studies by Professor Bruce Ames, inventor of the Ames Test (genetic testing), released results in February. Deficiencies of vitamin K result in: 1) weaker bones 2) hardening of arteries and 3) increase in spontaneous cancer.

Natural Anti-aging with Vitamin K

Professor Ames believes the body uses triage to maintain health. He explains, in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Vol. 90, pp. 889-907), five of 16 known vitamin K-dependent proteins required for coagulation have critical functions.

Animals with inactive forms didn't survive. Five less critical proteins were found in animals that survived through weaning.

Age-related conditions were found from:

1) Lack of these less critical vitamin K-dependent proteins
2) Inadequate intakes of vitamin K1 from diet
3) Vitamin K deficiency

Natural anti-aging with Vitamin Intake

"If this hypothesis is correct, micronutrient deficiencies trigger triage response and accelerate cancer, aging and neural decay but leave critical metabolic functions, such as ATP production, intact." In other words, vitamin intake deficiencies boost aging even though more important functions are healthy.

Vitamin K Deficiency

Tufts University found only 50 % of people get enough vitamin K from diet. The Nurses' Health Study demonstrated women with highest vitamin K consumption are 30 % less likely to break a hip than those who consume less.

Risk of deficiency comes from: long-term antibiotic treatment, chronic inflammatory bowel disease or cholesterol-lowering drugs which may contribute to problematic vitamin K absorption.

Vitamin K Food Sources

K1 is from plant foods, K2 from friendly intestinal bacteria and K3 is man-made. All end up within the liver for blood clotting and are required to retain calcium within bones.

1) Kefir is a cultured, food filled with micro-organisms that manufacture vitamin K. It's a cousin to yogurt and can be made at home or purchase at health food stores.

2) Leafy green vegetables provide Vitamin K1 found in kale, spinach, collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, asparagus, Bok Choy, peas and parsley.

3) Find vitamin K in green tea, peanut butter, lentils, split peas, milk and soybean oil too.

Professor Ames believes his theory is his most important work to date. If indeed the body performs triage to keep certain functions going, by awareness of diet, we supply our vitamin needs to implement better health resulting in natural anti-aging.

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Silent Inflammation Questionnaire: Catch Inflammation Early

Sources:
Dr. Pressman
Harvard School of Public Health

Article for information purposes only. Not intended as replacement for medical care.
New Natural Anti-aging Study Plus Learn Vitamin K Food Sources copyright 2010