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The United States has one of the higher rates of osteoporosis, about 44 million Americans are threatened by the disease. And one of the easiest ways to nip it in the bud is with your diet. In addition to calcium and Vitamin D, now there's Vitamin K. I had no idea what Vitamin K even did until recently when I learned how it can help to prevent this ever-present disease. Vitamin K helps prevent and treat osteoporosis by boosting bone density.
How can you get Vitamin K?
It's made up of two nutrients, Vitamin K1 and Vitamin K2. K1 is found in green leafy vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, and spinach.
Recipes Rich in K1
Arugula with rosemary roasted fingerlings
Emeril's Clagett Farms Southern Cooked Greens
K2 is found in meat, cheese, and fermented soy beans. Fermented soy beans sources include tempeh and miso.
Recipes Rich in K2
Emeril's Fruit And Cheese Platter
Kelly Rossiter's Asian Beef with Rice and Mushrooms Soup
Neal Fraser's Sauteed Fillet of Brandt Beef
How much Vitamin K do you need daily?
Combining the two types, you should be getting about 120 mcg for men and 90 mcg for women. A balanced diet should provide enough daily.
Salivating over sustainable eats? Learn how to make your own with help from Emeril Lagasse in Planet Green TV's organic cooking show, Emeril Green.
