Lots of parents get that vitamin D3 is key for building strong bones and maintaining bone health for kids. But vitamin K2? It's the real MVP for healthy teeth and gum health, and not enough people know about it. A study from an academic source even showed that kids who got more K2 had way fewer cavities.
We will talk about how vitamin K2 works. We will also discuss what foods can give your kids vitamin K2. Finally, we will consider if you should use K2 supplements alone or with Vitamin D3 drops. This is especially if you're in the UAE and need halal products.
How Vitamin K2 Keeps Little Teeth Safe
Vitamin K2 helps with calcium transport around your body. While Vitamin D3 helps you with calcium absorption, K2 makes sure it goes where it needs to go. Which is to your bones and teeth and not wrong places like your arteries or kidneys.
Here's what vitamin K2 does:
- It gets osteocalcin working by activating it. Osteocalcin is a protein that binds calcium and sends it to your bones and teeth.
- Makes your tooth enamel stronger, so it can fight off tooth decay.
- Lowers your risk of tooth problems, like cavities and weak enamel which dentists call enamel hypoplasia
A study in 2023 found that kids with the most Vitamin K2 in their systems had: 62% less cavities and 40% lower chances of weak enamel. source: academic.
Vitamin K2 and Breastfeeding. What You Need to Know
Breast milk is great, it does have a lot of benefits for your child, but it doesn't have a lot of vitamin K2 compared to some formulas with added nutrients like MK4. If you only breastfeed, consider adding dietary foods with K2 during the weaning period around 6 months.
Good food choices for K2 include:
- Gouda cheese
- Egg yolks
- Grass-fed butter
- Just a bit of chicken liver
If your baby is under 1 or is a picky eater, a combination of K2 and Vitamin D3 unflavored drops or a supplement like kids multivitamin syrup would be a good way to help them grow strong.
Simple Tricks to Get Your Child to Eat More K2
Here's how to easily incorporate Vitamin K2 to your child’s meals:
- Melt Gouda cheese, around 1 oz because that's 75 mcg of MK-4. Put it into your child’s morning scrambled eggs.
- Put grass-fed butter, also K2, MK4 on toast or chapati, or paratha.
- Add shredded dark meat chicken thigh to wraps or mix it with hummus, because dark meat has more K2.
- For babies, try rubbing ghee on their gums as this is an old Ayurvedic trick to get K2 right into their system without needing food or drink.
Quick Tip for parents in the UAE: Check out local brands such as Maxiliv Vitamin D3 +K2 drops. They're certified halal and don't contain alcohol.
Okay, so we've talked about the science and what to do about it. Let's straighten out some common myths that confuse parents.
4 Myths Parents Should Walk Away From
Myth 1: Vitamin D3 drops for kids is all you need.
Truth: If you don't have K2, calcium might end up deposited in the wrong places and mess with your kid's teeth and health.
Myth 2: Vegan kids can't get K2.
Truth: Actually, some fermented foods, like sauerkraut, have a bit of MK-7. You can find some good dietary supplements as well.
Myth 3: Spinach and kale are packed with K2.
Truth: Nope, they have Vitamin K1. Vitamin K 1 which is good for blood clotting but not the K2 like MK-4 or MK-7 (Menaquinone -7)which helps teeth and bones.
Myth 4: Only older kids need Vitamin K 2.
Truth: Little ones need K2 too, particularly if they were exclusively breastfed and are fussy about food.
Quick Vitamin K2 Guide for Parents
|
Kids' Age |
K2 Needed Daily |
Where to Find It |
|
1 to 3 years |
30 to 50 mcg |
Cheese, butter, or K2 drops |
|
4+ years |
50 to100 mcg |
Chicken thighs, egg yolks, or supplements |
Key Takeaway For Parent in UAE
Before you book your kid's next filling :
Try adding Gouda, chicken thighs, or grass-fed butter to their meals.
Use K2 with Vitamin D as kid's Vitamin D3 & K2 drops, especially if your child is breastfed or is a picky eater.
Find halal, alcohol-free options at UAE pharmacies or online shops. Start with
Maxiliv Combo K2 + Vitamin D3 drops that is halal-certified, alcohol-free, made for little kids, manufactured under GMP standards, and available in UAE. Visit Makhzan UAE for good wellness supplements for your kid's health.
Got questions before you decide? No problem. Here are some common things parents in the UAE wonder about K2 drops, plus how to use them safely.
FAQs: K2 Drops for Kids, Your Questions Answered
Can K2 fix early cavities?
It can make teeth stronger and keep things from getting worse, but it can't fix a cavity. Use it with hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
Are K2 supplements okay for little children?
Yep, if you give them the right amount. Pick K2 drops with MK-7 since they last longer. Just don't give them too much like MK-4 45 mg, which is for adults.
Can K2 help kids who have braces?
You bet! Vitamin K2 might make those white spots go away by helping calcium get to the enamel. Here is a quick tip: After your child eats foods with K2, have them brush with hydroxyapatite toothpaste to help teeth get strong again.
What's better, is it food or supplement?
Food is always the best choice. Although, if your child won't eat cheese, meat, or eggs, K2 D3 drops are a good second choice.
How much K2 does my child need?
- Children ages 1 to 3 need about 30 to 50 mcg per day.
- Children ages 4+ need between 50 and 100 mcg per day.
You can try out Maxiliv Combo K2+ D3 drops: They are halal certified and tested to ensure they are alcohol free.