Data a now available show that there is mineral that may significantly increase the rate of aging in the heart by depositing hardening products in the aortic valve.

The mineral, of course, is calcium. When you take too much calcium, it tends to go to your heart instead of your bones. Therefore, you need to be sure that your body’s metabolism is working well enough to handle the amount of calcium that you take in.

The ability to properly control calcium is dependent upon a vitamin that many people are hardly even aware of — vitamin K2.

The original work showing that calcium metabolism could be modified by nutritional intake was by Dr. Weston A. Price.

Years ago, he learned in the course of his dental practice that many people who were having trouble with their jaws often had other related medical problems.

Dr. Price found a product called Activator X that could help facilitate the absorption of calcium in the bones and teeth, rather than allowing it to get into the bloodstream.

Recently, it was determined that the active ingredient in Activator X was vitamin K2.

Research has also found that vitamin K2 helps maintain good brain function, decreases wrinkles on the skin, aids with prostate health, and helps support good muscle strength.

Now research has found another nutrient that is also necessary for heart and bone health: vitamin D3.

In fact, for vitamin K2 to work well, the body has to have an appropriate amount of vitamin D3.

Of course, vitamin D3 is synthesized in the skin with exposure to sunlight.

Unfortunately, many people are not very active these days, and do not get enough sun to provide optimal amounts of vitamin D3 to be synthesized. And as people older, the ability of their bodies to produce vitamin D3 from sun exposure decreases.

Based on current data, people will need to supplement with 180 micrograms of vitamin K2 and at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 to maintain optimal heart and bone health.

Once again, evidence indicates that excessive calcium can damage the heart. To manage calcium at an appropriate level, you have get adequate amounts of both vitamin K2 and vitamin D3.