January 18, 2021
Publication of an article on vitamin K2 in the Expres.co.uk
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Dr Katarzyna Maresz’s, President of the ISHF, statement was published in the article “Vitamin K2 deficiency: Low levels increase risk of hypertension, diabetes and osteoporosis” in the Expres.co.uk website. Below we present Dr. Katarzyna’s statement and a link to the entire text.
VITAMIN K2 deficiency signs could include excessive bleeding and easy bruising. Lacking in the vitamin also increases the risk of serious health conditions. Dr. Katarzyna Maresz, president of the International Science and Health Foundation said: “Researchers believe that it is of major importance to know the factors that influence frailty, to be able to develop public health strategies aimed at reducing or preventing frailty. In a previous analysis in the LASA cohort, low vitamin K status was associated with lower handgrip strength, smaller calf circumference, and, in women only, with poorer functional performance score. Moreover, if we look at table one in the presently discussed paper, we will notice that low vitamin K status increases the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and a number of chronic diseases. These facts articulate the usefulness of vitamin K2 supplementation for preventing frailty in the elderly population.”
January 23, 2020
Publication of an article on vitamin K2 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences
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Dr Katarzyna Maresz, President of the ISHF, is the co-author of the article “Vitamin K: Double Bonds beyond Coagulation Insights into Differences between Vitamin K1 and K2 in Health and Disease” published in the journal International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Below we present an abstract and a link to the entire text.
Abstract
Vitamin K is an essential bioactive compound required for optimal body function. Vitamin K can be present in various isoforms, distinguishable by two main structures, namely, phylloquinone (K1) and menaquinones (K2). The difference in structure between K1 and K2 is seen in different absorption rates, tissue distribution, and bioavailability.
Although differing in structure, both act as cofactor for the enzyme gamma-glutamylcarboxylase, encompassing both hepatic and extrahepatic activity. Only carboxylated proteins are active and promote a health profile like hemostasis.
Furthermore, vitamin K2 in the form of MK-7 has been shown to be a bioactive compound in regulating osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer and inflammatory diseases without risk of negative side effects or overdosing. This review is the first to highlight differences between isoforms vitamin K1 and K2 by means of source, function, and extrahepatic activity.
November 6, 2019
The Fundation attended The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science, California
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Industry stakeholders gathered Nov. 6 for The Workshop: CRN’s Day of Science, filled with sessions examining healthy aging and advances in nutrition research tools. Experts discuss what it means to age well and the indispensable role of nutrition. Event took place at the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, California.
Katarzyna Maresz, Ph.D., president of International Science and Health Foundation, discussed how supplementation with vitamin K2, shown to simultaneously protect cardiovascular health while supporting bone health, could address some of the most widespread public health issues. Presentation entitled: “The role of vitamin K2 in bone and cardiovascular health through the life cycle”
She noted the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that millions of people are vulnerable to poor bone metabolism, making both women and men susceptible to life-threatening fractures. In addition, heart disease remains the number one global cause of death, with 17.3 million deaths each year. Maintaining the best possible cardiovascular and bone health are two of the most critical areas allowing individuals to age in a healthy way, Dr. Maresz observed, noting that laying the foundation for healthy aging begins in childhood.