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July 25, 2026Wellness

Why Vitamin D3 should not be taken alone

Vitamin deficiency is often countered through its supplementation but is it sufficient alone for bone health and calcium homeostasis?

Why is Vitamin D important?

Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine Vitamin is important for the following reasons:

• Musculoskeletal health

• Nerve connections with brain

• Regulation of Inflammation

• Important for immunity buildup

• Helps in calcium absorption

The primary role of Vitamin D in our body is the regulation of calcium metabolism through increased intestinal calcium absorption.

What is the role of vitamin D in calcium absorption?

To summarize, Vitamin D’s functions in calcium absorption are as follows:

• Vitamin D enhances Vitamin K dependent bone protein concentration

• This enhanced protein concentration further induces bone formation in vitro

• Osteoblast specific expression of osteocalcin is controlled at the transcriptional level by 1,25 (OH) D through its responsive element with the promoter of osteocalcin gene.

What is the purpose of Vit K2 in calcium absorption?

Vitamin K2 activates some specific proteins which help us in guiding calcium to the right places in our body. These proteins are as follows:

o Osteocalcin – This helps in binding the calcium to our bones

o Matrix GLA protein (MGP) - this helps prevents calcium from depositing in the arteries

It’s role in calcium homeostasis is as follows:

• 1,25 (OH)D undergoes gamma carboxylation in the presence of Vitamin K- Thus it activates proteins which move calcium into our bones

• This receptor carboxylation potentially modifies the intrinsic biochemical properties of the nuclear receptors modulating its binding to the DNA.

• It prevents calcium from depositing in other places in our body like arteries instead of bones.

Research evidence on Vitamin D and K supplementation:

One such study was conducted to investigate Vitamin K and D supplementation on calcium balance in young rats fed with normal or low calcium diet. The results were as follows:

• Vitamin K supplements promoted reduction in urinary calcium secretion, thus stimulating the intestinal calcium absorption on a normal calcium diet.

• Vitamin D supplements stimulated intestinal calcium absorption along with the prevention of abnormal increase in serum parathyroid hormone concentrations which eventually prevented hypocalcemia in the rats fed on a low calcium diet (van Ballegooijen et al., 2017).

In another study conducted on Vitamin D and K supplementation it has been found that without supplements a low Vit D and K status is associated with increased cardiovascular risk as well as CVD related outcomes especially among high risk populations like people with type 2 diabetes having the strongest association for heart failure (Schweighofer et al., 2020).

In previous studies conduction on Vit D and Vit K through animal as well as human studies have suggested that optimal concentration of both is beneficial for bone as well as cardiovascular health. This is further supported by genetic, cellular, molecular, human studies. The current evidence confirms that joint supplementation would be beneficial for cardiovascular health.

Which groups or population should consider taking K2 with D3?

o Old people above the age of 50 as bones start becoming weak with age

o Gym enthusiasts as they need strong bones and muscles for their daily performance

o Postmenopausal women requiring Vit D3 and K2

o People who eat little to no animal products or byproducts

o People having familial history of heart disease

o People diagnosed with low Vit D levels

o Those who get very less sunlight exposure.

Are Vitamin D3 supplements nonfunctional if taken alone?

No, Vitamin D3 supplements work, but it depends on bio individuality and the body needs which vary from person to person.

If our body do not produce enough Vit K2 then Vit D’s work in calcium homeostasis is impeded.

This is because Vitamin D3 and K2 work synergistically in our body for calcium production and absorption, although more studies are needed to confirm such benefits.

Due to the increase in indoor activities and corporate culture, our exposure to normal sunlight is very less, so Vitamin D3 deficiency is very common even in countries like India with high sun exposure. However, Vitamin D3 supplements might not be effective if taken alone for enhanced bone health specifically.

This is because: Vitamin D3 works safest and performs best when combined with Vitamin K2.

This is known as the vitamin D3 and K2 Synergy explained above which helps in protection of our bones, heart as well as long term health. Vitamin D promotes the production of Vitamin K dependent proteins which mainly require Vitamin K for carboxylation for proper functioning. This synergistic interplay between vitamin D and K on bone as well as cardiovascular health.

If we do not take vitamin D, our body faces issues in effective calcium absorption. This leads to the following:

• Bone pain

• Increased fracture risk

• Muscle weakness

• Weak bones

Now if we take Vitamin D or D3 supplements alone without Vitamin K2 then the following effects are seen in our body:

• Calcium essentially goes into our bones and teeth but without Vitamin K2 calcium ends up in places like

o Soft tissues

o Kidneys

o Arteries

Thus, without sufficient Vitamin K2 excess calcium would contribute to vascular stiffness, arterial calcification and related disorders.

Thus, taking high doses of Vit D3 without K2 is not recommended unless prescribed by a physician.

Effects on health due to low to low Vit K2 levels in our body

If there is insufficient Vitamin K2 then the following changes occur:

o Osteocalcin and MGP remains inactive

o Calcium is not integrated into the bones

o Protective arterial proteins are under activated

Thus, if Vitamin D3 is taken without K2 then calcium absorption is increased but the proteins needed to manage and redirect this calcium is not activated.

How does Newedge Plant Based Vitamin D3+K2 ensure enhanced vitamin absorption

Newedge Plant Based Vitamin D3 + K2 has Vitashine and MenaquinGold- both globally patented ingredients ensuring maximum vitamin absorption in one capsule.

Let’s see how Newedge Plant based Vit D3+K2 covers most essential requirements for a vitamin supplement:

• Vitashine – It is the world’s 1st and only plant source registered with both the Vegan and Vegetarian Society. Unlike standard Vitamin D3 usually extracted from sheep’s wool, Vitashine is sustainably sourced form Lichen.

• Menaquinon MK-7- it provides better bioavailability, longer half life and better absorption than MK-4

• There is no need for Vitamin D3 and K2 supplementation separately

• It fulfills the daily required levels for Vitamin D3 i.e. 600-800 IU

References

Schweighofer, Natascha, et al. “Matrix–GLA–Protein and Cardiovascular Parameters: Uc–Dp MGP vs Total MGP.” Endocrine Abstracts, 21 Aug. 2020, 10.1530/endoabs.70.ep190. Accessed 25 July 2026.

van Ballegooijen, Adriana J., et al. “The Synergistic Interplay Between Vitamins D and K for Bone and Cardiovascular Health: A Narrative Review.” International Journal of Endocrinology, vol. 2017, no. 1, 2017, pp. 1–12, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5613455/, 10.1155/2017/7454376. Accessed 25 July 2026.

Ware, Megan. “Vitamin D: Benefits, Deficiency, Sources, and Dosage.” 23 Feb. 2022.

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