Vitamin D3 + K2 (MK-7)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is hydroxylated in the liver to 25(OH)D then in the kidney to active 1,25(OH)2D (calcitriol), which binds the vitamin D receptor (VDR) present in virtually every cell type. VDR activation modulates over 1,000 genes involved in immune function, calcium homeostasis, muscle protein synthesis, and inflammatory regulation. Vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) activates matrix GLA protein (MGP) and osteocalcin via gamma-carboxylation. MGP inhibits vascular calcification; osteocalcin directs calcium into bone. The D3+K2 combination ensures calcium mobilized by D3 is deposited in bone rather than arterial walls.
Three tiers ordered by aggressiveness. Tier chips on every OPTIMIZE intervention let you filter the catalog by your evidence tolerance.
- vitamin-d
- lipid-panel
- hypercalcemia
- granulomatous-disease
- warfarin-use-for-k2
- PMID:28768407Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections — BMJ, 2017
- PMID:26770129The role of vitamin K in soft-tissue calcification — Adv Nutr, 2016
- PMID:31405892Vitamin D deficiency and supplementation in athletes — Nutrients, 2019
Vitamin D3 is the single most important supplement for anyone not living near the equator. 42% of US adults are deficient. The VDR modulates over 1,000 genes. Deficiency impairs immune function, muscle protein synthesis, insulin sensitivity, and bone metabolism simultaneously. The K2 pairing is not optional — D3 increases calcium absorption, and without K2 to activate MGP, that calcium can deposit in arterial walls instead of bone. MK-7 is the preferred K2 form due to its 72-hour half-life versus MK-4 at 1-2 hours. Target 50-70 ng/mL 25(OH)D. Test levels. Dose accordingly. Take with fat.
This is not medical advice
Discuss with a licensed clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any compound. This page documents what the research literature describes — it is not a prescription.
See Vitamin D3 + K2 (MK-7) in a protocol matched to you