[jdege]

The interesting thing is that the beta carotene is found inside the chloroplasts, which means that the greener the plant, the more chloroplasts. And alongside the beta carotene inside the chloroplasts is vitamin K1, which most animals can convert into K2.

The result is that the more beta carotene in the butter or cheese or egg yolks, the more vitamin K2 it contains. Butter and cheese and egg yolks from animals that never eat freshly growing green plants are pale, unless artificially died, and are almost entirely lacking in K2.

Which is why the Standard American Diet is almost entirely lacking in K2, because nearly all of the butter and eggs and cheese are from animals that are fed grains.

And since it’s K2 that activates the hormones responsible for calcium deposition. One is responsible for pulling calcium out of the blood and into bones and teeth, and the other for removing calcium from soft tissues and putting it back into circulation.

In other words, it was the move to feeding animals on grains that was the primary reason for the massive increase in both atherosclerosis and osteoporosis during the 20th century.

Weston Price had figured all of this out, 70 years ago. Consumption of high-quality animal fats - from animals that are grazing on grass, not on grains, is essential to human health.

[Thebaddog]

Very interesting post. Are there any foods naturally high in K2?

[NYer]

Fascinating! Does this lend credence to the difference in purchasing “free range” chickens?

[deadrock]

Quite interesting. Thanks for the info.

[canuck_conservative]

The War on Fats, in general, has not been good for people.

Though now portrayed as bad, fats are an essential part of our diet, and always have been. Fats are the most concentrated form of energy, and even some vitamins can only dissolve in fat.

Yes, the artificial (hydrogenated) fats are not so good for us, but the natural ones present in plants and animals are - and necessary.

[guyfromjrz]

Thanks for the contributing that dialog. Fascinating to me on so many levels. I am on coumadin(blood thinner) because I had pulmonary embolism in the lungs, that can be traced back to a clot in my calf. Anyway, do you know where I can get more info on vitamin k enriched foods? I am supposed to avoid vitamin k because its a anti caligmate. I love cheese, eat eggs and such, I'm wondering if I should avoid that now. I was told by a nutritionist to avoid leafy greens and cranberry. Thanks again for your insightful post.

[Betis70]

Very interesting. Is it just cows that have this K2 in their milk or is it found in goat milk (for instance) and other ruminants? I don’t have enough land for a cow, but have thought of getting a couple goats.

[Bigg Red]

Wow! Thank you for that info.

Could the grain feeding also be a contributor to the obesity epidemic, I wonder.