How the Body Works (part 2)

Part 2 talks about how supplements interact with body functions. Part 1 is here.

BONES

A little explanation goes a long way to begin appreciating how vitamin supplements work with body functions. The bone building process is a good example to use to show that many steps and different nutrient forms interact. While there are quite a few steps, knowing what nutrients are needed at each step reveals the most effective supplements for bone building. The final step involves activated osteocalcin binding with calcium and other bone building minerals forming crystals which then get placed into bone building areas. But, there are many steps that must play out first. (For total vitamin D actions, see articles)

Bone building minerals: Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Zinc, Potassium, Boron,  

• Vitamin D gets activated from storage form (25OHD) into the hormone form (1,25OH2D3.
• Magnesium is needed for this activation.
• A parathyroid hormone, PTH, initiates this process in response to low calcium blood levels.
• Activated vitamin D then combines with a certain receptor form of vitamin A, 9-cis retinol. 
• Next, this combination goes into certain bone cells where it combines with a vitamin D receptor (VDR), binds to the vitamin D-responsive element (VDRE) as a heterodimer with an unidentified receptor auxiliary factor (RAF).
• This combination triggers mRNA to get genes to build a bone protein called osteocalcin.
• 9-cis retinol then begins a controlling action to limit further formation of the combination that triggers mRNA gene osteocalcin production. This action is a rate limiting factor to not let osteocalcin levels get out of balance.
• Osteocalcin is first formed as a non active protein, called uncarboxylated osteocalcin, ucOC.
• Vitamin K, especially K2, carboxylates some of the osteocalcin, cOC.
• Then cOS combines with bone minerals to form bone crystals and gets depositied into bone building areas.
• For many years, Doctors have been measuring the level of cOS as a marker for the bone building process, but failed to reveal what they were really measuring was vitamin K2 actions to form cOS.
• There is a balance point needed between ucOS and cOS.*
• This balance regulates not only bone building but also is involved with blood sugar regulation, cardiovascular health, and even regulates some cancer activity, like prostate.
• Since Osteocalcin forms have many functions, pinpointing the ideal unOC to cOC ratio is difficult, especially since each function may have a different ideal ratio. 
• The body can build bone without osteocalcin, but it suffers from disruptive structure.

NOTE: While vitamins D and K are needed for osteocalcin processing, the best method to increase Osteocalcin production is through vigorous exercise, about an hour 3 times a week.

* The ideal balance point or range for the ratio of cOC to ucOC is still open for analysis. Not knowing this information leaves the proper dosages of vitamins D and K2 somewhat up in the air. It is possible that different functions relating to this balance, bone building, blood sugar control, prostate health, require different ratio points. Hopefully, consuming some of all nutrients involved will allow the body to decide and properly control functions. Food amounts are most likely not far off if foods are consumed that contain these nutrients. But, supplemented vitamins and minerals are concentrated and could overtax body regulation processes if not in acceptable ranges.

One observed study revealed cOC at 25% and that the amount tested of supplemented vitamin K2 increased this percentage to 75%. While this may help bone building, it might jeopardize blood sugar control as well as prostate health. pages

This needs immediate attention and answers.