Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto and Intermittent Fasting Podcast

The #1 Cause of Arterial Stiffness (Hypertension)

Oct 8, 2023

06:24

Snipd AI

This podcast discusses the causes of arterial stiffness, including age, inflammation, high-carb diet, and omega-6 fatty acids. It highlights the importance of vitamin K2 in preventing arterial calcification and decreasing the risk of heart attack. Foods high in vitamin K2 include meats, organ meats, egg yolks, grass-fed butter, dairy, and yogurt. It recommends combining vitamin K2 with vitamin D3 for arterial support and warns against the increased risk of heart attack with calcium supplements. Additionally, it mentions the impact of warfarin on vascular calcification.

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Vitamin K2 deficiency can lead to arterial stiffness and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Combining vitamin K2 with vitamin D3 can improve arterial health by reducing thickness and calcium buildup in the arteries.

Deep dives

Vitamin K2 Deficiency and Arterial Stiffness

A deficiency in vitamin K2 can cause arteries to become stiff and increase the risk of conditions like heart attacks and strokes. When there is a lack of vitamin K2, calcium does not get directed into the bones, leading to its accumulation in the arteries. Vitamin K2 plays a vital role in driving calcium into the bones, making them stronger, while also preventing calcium buildup in the arteries. Research suggests that sufficient vitamin K2 intake can reduce the risk of heart attacks by 50%. However, many people are deficient in vitamin K2 because they are unaware of its food sources. Vitamin K2-rich foods include meats, organ meats, egg yolks, grass-fed butter, dairy, and yogurt. Vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, and nuts do not provide significant amounts of vitamin K2.

Understanding the Link Between Arterial Stiffness and Vitamin K2 Deficiency

3min

The Role of Vitamin K2 in Maintaining Vascular Health

4min

Unfortunately, heart attacks, strokes, and high blood pressure are common problems. So, today we’re going to talk about what causes arterial stiffness or calcified arteries.

Common causes of stiff arteries:

• Age

• Inflammation

• A high-carb, high-sugar diet

• Omega-6 fatty acids

There is one additional cause of hardened arteries that many people are unaware of, and it’s a vitamin K2 deficiency.

Vitamin K2 drives calcium into the bones to help make them stronger and keeps calcium out of the arteries and the walls of the arteries. Vitamin K2 may decrease the risk of heart attack by 50 percent.

Foods high in vitamin K2:

• Meats

• Organ meats

• Egg yolks

• Grass-fed butter

• Dairy

• Yogurt

Adding vitamin K2 to vitamin D3 is a fantastic way to support the arteries. For every 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 you take, you should also consume 100 mcg of vitamin K2.

It’s important to note that people who take a calcium supplement (1,000 mg or more a day), with or without vitamin D, increase the risk of a heart attack. This could be because of the lack of vitamin K2. It’s also important to keep in mind that one of the side effects of warfarin is vascular calcification.

To support the arteries, get on a low-carb diet, avoid omega-6 fatty acids, and consume foods rich in vitamin K2. If you take a vitamin K2 supplement, it may be best to take vitamin D3 as well.

DATA:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22516...

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/arti...