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Vitamins A, D, and K2 are essential nutrients that play important roles in various biological processes. Vitamin A is vital for vision, immune function, and cellular growth and differentiation. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, and immune function, and has been linked to numerous other health benefits. Vitamin K2 is necessary to support bone health and cardiovascular health. Since these three nutrients work together and depend on one another, their combination in a dietary supplement is key. AstraGin^®, a proprietary blend of Astragalus membranaceus and Panax notoginseng extracts, serves to improve nutrient absorption and enhance the bioavailability of certain compounds, these vitamins included. When combined these nutrients and AstraGin^® can create a synergistic effect, potentially enhancing their benefits and improving overall health.

Vitamins A, D, and K2 are fat-soluble vitamins that play essential roles in various physiological processes, and they are interrelated in several ways. While they have distinct roles in the body, these vitamins depend on each other to some extent.

One example of their interdependence is their relationship with bone health. Vitamin D helps to regulate calcium and phosphorus levels in the body, which are necessary for bone mineralization. Vitamin K2 activates proteins that help to transport calcium into bones, while vitamin A helps to regulate bone cell activity. Together, these vitamins work synergistically to support bone health. Another example is their role in immune function. Vitamin A is essential for the development and maintenance of immune cells, while vitamin D helps to regulate the immune response. Vitamin K2 also supports immune function by activating proteins that help to fight infection.

The interrelationship between vitamins A, D, and K2 is especially significant in bone health.Vitamin D supports calcium and phosphorus absorption, both essential for bone mineralization.Vitamin K2 activates proteins that facilitate calcium transport into bone tissue, and vitamin A helps regulate bone cell activity. Together, these nutrients may work to maintain healthy bone structure and function.

Vitamins A, D, and K2 are associated with heart health in several ways. Vitamin A is involved inlipid metabolism, which supports cell membrane integrity and cardiovascular function. Researchindicates that it may help regulate oxidative stress and promote arterial health.¹ Vitamin D is known to support endothelial function, contributing to vascular health. Vitamin K2 has been studied for its role in activating proteins involved in arterial health, particularly in conjunction with vitamin D. For example, research on postmenopausal women has suggested that combined supplementation with vitamins K2 and D may promote arterial flexibility.²

Vitamins A and D are vital for immune system function. Vitamin A supports the maintenance of healthy epithelial tissues, the body’s first line of defense against pathogens. Vitamin D has immunomodulatory effects, including supporting the activity of T and B cells.³ Studies have linked vitamin D to the regulation of immune cell activity, cytokine production, and antimicrobial peptide expression.⁴ Vitamin K2 also plays a role in immune function through the activation of proteins that support immune responses, such as osteocalcin, which has been shown to influence immune cell activity.

Both vitamins A and D are involved in pathways related to hormone regulation. Retinoic acid, derived from vitamin A, supports the enzymatic activity required for synthesizing hormones like testosterone and estradiol. Vitamin D interacts with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland to regulate hormone production, which has implications for maintaining balanced sex hormone levels.

AstraGin^® has been investigated for its potential to enhance the absorption of nutrients by increasing the activity of transport proteins, such as GLUT4. These effects may improve the bioavailability of vitamins, including K2 and other nutrients. AstraGin^® also contains compounds studied for their antioxidant properties and their ability to support vascular health, although further research is needed to establish these effects in clinical settings.

1. Zalaket J, Hanna-Wakim L, Matta J. Cholesterol. 2018 Jun 3;2018:8050512. doi: 10.1155/2018/8050512. PMID:29971161;PMCID: PMC6008699.

2. Maresz K.. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2015 Feb;14(1):34-9.

3. Dupuis, M.L., Pagano, M.T., Pierdominici, M. et al. Biol Sex Differ 12, 12 (2021).

4. Martens PJ, Gysemans C, Verstuyf A, Mathieu AC. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 28;12(5):1248.