Köhler Debora plus K2 capsules (120 capsules)

Debora plus K2 capsules are a dietary supplement containing vitamins D3 and K2.

Debora® plus K2 contains vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) as well as vitamin K2 (in the form of menaquinone-7, in the highly bioavailable all-trans form). The fat-soluble vitamins D3 and K2 are dissolved in vegetable oils in Debora® plus K2. Consequently, Debora® plus K2 can also be taken independently of meals.

Vitamins are considered essential because they must be obtained through the diet, as the body cannot produce them itself. However, the "sunshine vitamin" is an exception: vitamin D is primarily produced by the skin thanks to UVB rays and stored in muscle and adipose tissue.

Nevertheless, approximately 50% of the German population is deficient. Indeed, whether requirements are sufficiently met depends, among other things, on skin melanin content, sufficient outdoor exposure, the use of sunscreen products, clothing, or age.

How does a vitamin D deficiency manifest? The symptoms of a vitamin D deficiency can appear gradually. They manifest in very varied ways and are therefore often not recognized immediately. A short-term deficiency can manifest itself, for example, through fatigue, exhaustion, susceptibility to infections, or muscle weakness. The classic clinical pictures of a persistent deficiency are rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. The latter corresponds to a progressive decalcification of the skeleton with typical symptoms such as bone deformities or spontaneous bone fractures. Furthermore, a link to certain cancers, heart and infectious diseases, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and autoimmune diseases is being discussed.

There are two important forms of the sunshine vitamin: vitamin D3 and vitamin D2. The best-known function of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is its role in bone metabolism. In addition, vitamin D3 is found in many other metabolic processes. Thus, vitamin D ensures the normal functioning of the immune system as well as the maintenance of normal muscle function, the preservation of which is particularly important in cases of muscle wasting with age.

Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 – an intelligent duo for bones. For the activation of certain endogenous proteins, vitamin D3 depends on vitamin K2. Since vitamin K2 promotes the proteins formed by vitamin D, it is possible for a vitamin K2 deficiency to appear very quickly when vitamin D levels increase. This is why both vitamins should be taken together. An ideal preparation like Debora® plus K2 contains both vitamins combined. The vitamin K2 used is in a form that is well absorbed by the body and remains active there for longer. As both vitamins are fat-soluble, they need vegetable oils as a transport medium to be absorbed particularly well in the intestine. This is why Debora® plus K2’s gluten-free, fructose-free, yeast-free, and lactose-free capsules contain vitamins D3 and K2 dissolved in virgin flaxseed oil and sunflower oil.

What role does vitamin K2 play for bones? Bone loss is not always age-related. It can also be due to an insufficient intake of vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 ensures that the calcium absorbed thanks to vitamin D is incorporated into the bones by activating the osteocalcin produced by osteoblasts. The latter can transport calcium, vitamin D, and other minerals and incorporate them into the bone substance. If the body has too little vitamin K2, the bones become increasingly porous and fragile. The calcium intended for the bones can then be deposited in the blood vessels and organs and cause damage. For this reason, care must be taken to ensure that along with vitamin D, a sufficient supply of vitamin K2 is also provided.

Who are the risk groups for a vitamin D deficiency? The group of affected individuals is very diverse. In seniors, endogenous vitamin D production decreases with age. In people with gastrointestinal diseases, the absorption of vitamins D3 and K2 is impaired. Other risk groups include chronically ill people whose diseases or medications disrupt vitamin D metabolism.

Where is a lot of vitamin D found? Foods containing vitamin D include, for example, fatty fish, liver, and egg yolk. Cod liver oil is above all an important source of vitamin D. However, regular consumption of vitamin D-rich foods does not always correspond to usual dietary habits, so that vitamin D intake through diet accounts for only a small portion of the vitamin D supply. In these cases, the daily consumption of a dietary supplement containing vitamin D3 can be sensible.