One of the perplexing issues surrounding the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis has been all the hazards (increased ortality, increased cardiovascular disease) associated with the conventional medical recommendation to increase calcium intake. It turns out that calcium supplementation is not only unnecessary with a normal vitamin D level, it can be hazardous - as I've long said - in the absence of adequate vitamin K2. Calcium absorbed into the bloodstream can deposit in various places: tendons (ouch, calcific tendinitis is no picnic), the lining of blood vessels (increasing blood pressure and narrowing arteries), and with adequate vitamin K2 calcium can be deposited in the bones, according to what we know about physiology.

We like to confirm theories with clinical practice, so I was happy to learn that an article in the March 23 issue of Osteoporosis International as reported here described 244 post-menopausal women followed for three years. The women on supplemental vitamin K showed significantly less bone loss associated with advancing age, compared to the women who did not supplement with vitamin K.

Vitamins D and K are therefore much more important than calcium, which can be absorbed adequately from most diets, if you are interested in preserving bone health. Good sources of vitamin K include fermented sauerkraut which is not hard to make, and cheese. Egg yolks and butter from pastured cows contain K2. Supplementing with vitamin K2 is a good idea if you are concerned, and pick a MK-7 version of K2, such as ProThera's Vitamin K2, taking 2 capsules daily.