The Department of Medical Sciences Laboratory at the Faculty of Public Health at the Lebanese German University – LGU organized a conference entitled « Vitamins K2 and D3 ». The conference was held, under the direction of Dr. Joyce Kheir, on Thursday 27 March, 2014 at LGU Campus in Sahel Alma.The conference was presented by Dr. Romel Zind, cardiologist and associate professor at LGU and Dr. Elizabeth Abou Jaoudeh, endocrinologist and associate professor at LGU before a host of faculty members, doctors from Notre Dame du Liban Hospital as well as students from the Faulty. Following a welcome word expressed by Dr. Kheir, Dr. Paul Makhlouf, Dean of the Faculty of Public Health, stressed the importance of the Faculty in developing academic acquisition and cultural openness. The speakers then explained the metabolisms of both vitamins and the illness resulting from their deficiency.
In fact, all K vitamins are similar in structure: they share a “quinone” ring, but differ in the length and degree of saturation of the carbon tail and the number of “side chains”. In this group figure vitamin K2 MK-4 (a short molecule found in meat and eggs), MK-7 (a long molecule found in fermented products), MK-8 and MK-9 (a long molecule found in cheese). Since 1995, it has been known that menaquinones play an important role in maintaining healthy levels of bone mineral density (BMD), preventing osteoporosis and femoral neck fractures. Deeper research has shown that menaquinone-7 regulates the production of calcium. It activates a specific protein that favors the absorption of calcium and optimizes the indispensable health of bones. Vitamin K2 deficiency leads to significant impairment in biological function of MGP, the most potent inhibitor of vascular calcification presently known.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) strengthens the action of menaquinone-7, particularly in preventing osteoporosis. This vitamin is a natural derivative of animal origin and is formed when individuals are exposed to the sun. Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) is a synthetic derivative of plant origin. Vitamin D3 is considered the most efficient in reaching an optimal nutritional status in vitamin D.