Episodios

  • Episode 14: How to Make Gout Disappear From Your Life

    Episode 14: How to Make Gout Disappear From Your Life
    Aug 17 2025

    How to Make Gout Disappear From Your Life

    What if one of the most excruciatingly painful diseases in history — once called “the disease of kings” — didn’t have to exist at all? Gout, an inflammatory arthritis caused by uric acid crystals, has plagued everyone from Henry VIII to Benjamin Franklin. Yet today, science shows us it can often be prevented — or even eliminated — with the right knowledge and choices.

    In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Ravi Kumar unpacks the history, biology, and modern causes of gout — and reveals why this ancient disease is now a completely optional one. You’ll hear how gout uniquely affects humans, why certain populations are more vulnerable, and even the story of a dramatic case where gout crystals formed in a woman’s brainstem.

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why humans are the only species that develop gout.
    • The historical link between gout, indulgence, and power.
    • How modern diets rich in purines, alcohol, and fructose fuel the disease.
    • The surprising roles of coffee, vitamin C, cherries, and dairy in lowering risk.
    • Why keeping uric acid below 6.0 mg/dL protects against gout and kidney damage.
    • How simple lifestyle changes can make gout vanish from your life.

    Don’t miss this episode — especially if you or someone you love struggles with gout. Understanding its history and science could help you prevent or reverse it.

    For more health insights, subscribe to The Dr. Kumar Discovery Podcast on any major platform.

    To find out more, or to see links to the scientific references used in this podcast, visit: https://drkumardiscovery.com/podcast/

    Cheers!
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    36 m
  • Episode 13: Roald Dahl and the Valve That Saved Thousands

    Episode 13: Roald Dahl and the Valve That Saved Thousands
    Aug 11 2025

    What happens when a children’s book author refuses to accept “good enough” in the face of a life-or-death medical crisis? In 1960, Roald Dahl, famed author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, found himself fighting for his infant son’s life after a devastating accident caused hydrocephalus, a dangerous buildup of fluid in the brain.

    In an era when shunt valves failed constantly, Dahl brought together an unlikely team: a pioneering pediatric neurosurgeon, a pediatric brain surgeon, and a retired toy maker. Together, they created the WDT valve, a life-saving device that resisted clogging and became a gold standard in treating hydrocephalus.

    In this episode of Tribulations, Dr. Ravi Kumar takes you through the gripping history of how creativity, persistence, and cross-disciplinary collaboration changed the course of neurosurgery. You’ll learn:

    • The accident that nearly claimed Dahl’s son’s life
    • Why existing shunts in the 1960s were dangerously unreliable
    • How Dahl’s relentless curiosity pushed doctors to imagine the impossible
    • The ingenious engineering behind the WDT valve
    • How this invention saved thousands of children, and still influences shunt design today

    It’s a story of ingenuity under pressure, of refusing to accept the limits of conventional thinking, and of how one man’s persistence turned imagination into innovation.

    Resources & References:

    • Till K, et al. A Valve for the Treatment of Hydrocephalus. The Lancet. 1964.
    • Wade, S. Patent No. GB1014164, Valve for Controlling the Flow of Cerebrospinal Fluid. 1963.
    • Sandler, A, et al. Marvelous medicine: The untold story of the Wade-Dahl-Till valve - Historical vignette. JNS-Peds 2012
    • Solomon, T. How family tragedy turned Roald Dahl into a medical pioneer. The Guardian. 2016

    Stay Connected:

    • Podcast signup: https://drkumardiscovery.com/podcast-signup/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrkumardiscovery/
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedrkumardiscovery
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    14 m
  • Episode 12: PANDAS – Could Your Child’s Behavior Changes Be Cured with an Antibiotic?

    Episode 12: PANDAS – Could Your Child’s Behavior Changes Be Cured with an Antibiotic?
    Aug 3 2025

    PANDAS – Could Your Child’s Behavior Changes Be Cured with an Antibiotic?

    Has your child suddenly changed?... Experiencing unexplained anxiety, depression, OCD behaviors, or other alarming shifts? It could be PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), an often overlooked condition triggered by a common strep infection.


    In this powerful episode, Dr. Ravi Kumar shares his deeply personal story of discovering PANDAS after his own daughter faced dramatic behavior changes that baffled doctors and devastated his family. Learn why PANDAS is frequently misdiagnosed, leaving families confused and children untreated.


    In this episode, you'll discover:

    • What exactly PANDAS is and how it affects children's brains.
    • Why many doctors still overlook or misunderstand this condition.
    • Dr. Kumar’s personal journey with his daughter's diagnosis and remarkable recovery.
    • The critical role of antibiotics and other treatments in reversing symptoms.
    • What steps parents can take if they suspect their child has PANDAS.

    Don't miss this vital episode. It might be the key to restoring a child's health and happiness.


    For more health insights, subscribe to The Dr Kumar Discovery Podcast on any major platform.

    Or visit: https://drkumardiscovery.com/podcast/

    Cheers!
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    24 m
  • Episode 11: The Handwashing Heretic - The tragic story of Ignaz Semmelweis

    Episode 11: The Handwashing Heretic - The tragic story of Ignaz Semmelweis
    Jul 27 2025

    In this episode, I share the tragic and powerful story of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis — a physician who discovered how to save the lives of countless mothers in 19th-century Vienna. His discovery? Something as simple as handwashing. But rather than being hailed as a hero, he was ridiculed, silenced, and ultimately destroyed by the very profession he tried to reform.

    This story isn’t just about history — it’s a warning. About arrogance. About the reflexive rejection of new ideas. About what happens when certainty replaces curiosity.

    This is the first installment of a new storytelling series I’m calling Tribulations. If you enjoy this episode, let me know — I’d love to keep bringing these stories to life.

    Mentioned in this episode:

    • The origin of the Semmelweis Reflex
    • The tragic fate of a revolutionary thinker
    • What modern medicine (and all of us) can learn from his story

    Prefer visuals? Watch the storyboard version of this episode on YouTube and TikTok.


    If you found this episode valuable, please take a moment to rate and review the show. Your feedback helps others discover it.
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    7 m
  • Episode 10: Two Billion People Are Zinc Deficient - Make Sure You’re Not One of Them

    Episode 10: Two Billion People Are Zinc Deficient - Make Sure You’re Not One of Them
    Jul 21 2025
    Dr. Kumar dives into the hidden global crisis of zinc deficiency: covering its fundamental biology, landmark clinical cases, RDA versus optimal dosing, ancestral insights, and practical tips to ensure you aren’t one of the two billion people missing out on this essential micronutrient. Episode Highlights Why Zinc MattersDiscover how this tiny mineral powers hundreds of enzymes and controls key gene switches that keep you healthy.Life-Saving DiscoveriesHear the true stories of zinc reversing stunted growth in Iran and curing a once-fatal genetic disease.Core Body FunctionsLearn how zinc supports immunity, wound healing, hormone balance (insulin, thyroid, testosterone, stress) and brain health.Optimal DosageFind out why the basic RDA may fall short, what ancestral diets suggest, and why 15–20 mg per day hits the sweet spot.Food and Prep TipsSee which foods pack the most zinc (oysters, meat, legumes), simple soaking or fermenting tricks to boost absorption, and when to supplement.Next StepsSpot the top signs of deficiency and get practical actions you can take today to make sure you’re not one of the two billion missing out. Show Notes In this episode you’ll learn: • What zinc really does in the body as a cofactor for over 300 enzymes and 1,000 transcription factors • The groundbreaking cases that put zinc on the map (Prasad’s Zinc Dwarf in Iran; Barnes & Moynahan’s cure of acrodermatitis enteropathica) • How zinc fingers, superoxide dismutase, matrix metalloproteinases and other molecular players keep us running • Zinc’s critical roles in hormone production (insulin, thyroid, testosterone, cortisol) and immune defense (thymulin, NK cells, cold lozenges) • Clinical evidence for growth recovery, wound healing, blood-sugar control and cognitive benefits • Why standard RDAs may only prevent severe deficiency and how transporter biology and ancestral diets point to 15–20 mg/day as optimal • Food-first strategies (oysters, red meat, dairy, legumes) and traditional prep methods (soaking, fermenting) to neutralize phytates • Why zinc glycinate is the gold-standard supplement, and dosing recommendations for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans Subscribe & Follow • Podcast Signup: https://drkumardiscovery.com/podcast-signup/ • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-kumar-discovery/id1742083523 • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3UJhg3Y5jjLP8zO6hbpwfT?si=44Db8cYwQaCeNQes6ET5OA • Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/109f8c48-0168-43f3-a7ed-f0315473fb84/the-dr-kumar-discovery • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDrKumarDiscovery Support the Show If you found this episode valuable, please: • Share it with someone you care about • Leave a rating or review on your podcast app • Subscribe for future episodes • Visit DrKumarDiscovery.com for blogs, transcripts, and more • Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedrkumardiscovery/ • Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedrkumardiscoveryReferences & ResourcesDiscovery of Human Zinc Deficiency: Its Impact on Human Health and DiseaseZinc Deficiency and Human Health: Etiology, Health Consequences, and Future SolutionsZinc and immune function: the biological basis of altered resistance to infectionRole of Zinc in Health and DiseaseZinc and the special sensesZinc Deficiency - StatPearlsDiscovery of human zinc deficiency and studies in an experimental human modelZinc Transporters and the Cellular Trafficking of ZincZinc Deficiency in Acrodermatitis Enteropathica: Multiple Dietary Intolerance Treated with Synthetic DietZinc and Immune Function: The Biological Basis of Altered Resistance to InfectionThe effects of zinc supplementation on wound healingZinc Deficiency in Humans: Discovery and ImpactZinc supplementation improves glycemicEffect of zinc supplementation on thyroid hormoneZinc status and serum testosterone levelsEffect of Zinc Supplementation on GHZinc acutely and temporarily inhibits adrenal cortisolZinc and the aging brainEffects of zinc supplementation on cognitive functionEffects of Zinc Supplementation on Inflammatory and Cognitive ParametersImproving Cognitive Function with Nutritional Supplements in AgingSerum thymulin in human zinc deficiencyEffects of zinc deficiency on Th1 and Th2 cytokine shiftsZinc enhances the number of regulatory T cells in allergen-stimulated cellsShort-term oral zinc supplementation enhances Natural Killer cell functionalityZinc lozenges and the common coldAntioxidant Role of Zinc in SOD1Clinical Effectiveness of Zinc Supplementation on Oxidative StressZinc, aging, and immunosenescenceZinc decreases C-reactive pro...
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    34 m
  • Episode 9: The Vitamin C Paradox

    Episode 9: The Vitamin C Paradox
    Jul 6 2025

    Support Gavin’s Journey


    This episode features the incredible story of Gavin—a young boy who defied all medical odds after a devastating brain cancer diagnosis.

    Follow and support Gavin and his family here:

    • Gavin’s Facebook Group
    • Support Gavin’s Journey on GoFundMe

    Episode Summary


    Why is vitamin C—a nutrient most people take for granted—still at the center of scientific debate and miraculous recoveries? In “The Vitamin C Paradox,” Dr. Ravi Kumar explores the hidden complexity behind this essential molecule, from our evolutionary dependence to its overlooked medical potential. Discover how the right dose, at the right time, could change everything from your daily health to survival in the face of severe illness.


    What You’ll Learn

    • Why humans lost the ability to make vitamin C—and the clever ways our bodies compensate.
    • How vitamin C works as a master antioxidant and is uniquely recycled in human red blood cells.
    • Hidden signs of deficiency—and why “modern scurvy” is more common than you think.
    • What science really says about vitamin C for colds, immune support, cardiovascular health, and recovery.
    • The untold story of IV vitamin C—and how one family’s determination changed a young boy’s fate.
    • How to optimize your own vitamin C intake for health, stress, illness, and special situations.
    • Why the RDA might be set far too low—and what our closest primate relatives can teach us.

    Key Takeaways

    • Vitamin C is about more than scurvy. It’s central to immunity, tissue repair, mental clarity, and more.
    • Most people get just enough to “get by.” Far higher intakes may be needed for true resilience—especially in illness or stress.
    • IV vitamin C acts differently from oral forms and shows real promise in cancer care and critical illness.
    • Even today, vitamin C deficiency is surprisingly common and often overlooked.

    Practical Recommendations

    • Daily health: 500–1,000 mg ascorbic acid (plus vitamin C–rich foods throughout the day)
    • During illness or stress: Up to 6,000 mg daily, divided in smaller doses (and stay hydrated)
    • Cancer/critical illness: Discuss IV vitamin C as an integrative option with your healthcare provider
    • Best supplement forms: Plain ascorbic acid is ideal; buffered or liposomal forms may help sensitive stomachs

    Don’t Miss

    • Why the RDA for vitamin C was set only to prevent scurvy—not to optimize health or immune function.
    • What wild animals and primates reveal about human vitamin C needs.
    • How clinical research has often misrepresented the full potential of vitamin C.

    References & Further Reading


    All referenced clinical trials, peer-reviewed papers, and additional resources for this episode can be found on our Vitamin C Episode page.

    (Link to be updated once your references page is live.)


    Help Us Grow


    If this episode made you think differently, please share it with someone you care about and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps bring practical, evidence-based health information to more people.


    Listen & Subscribe:

    • Dr. Kumar Discovery Podcast Website
    • Apple Podcasts
    • Spotify


    Disclaimer: This episode is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any health decisions.
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    58 m
  • Episode 8: You’re Probably Deficient in Omega-3—Here’s How to Fix It

    Episode 8: You’re Probably Deficient in Omega-3—Here’s How to Fix It
    Jun 25 2025
    Episode Summary In this deep-dive episode, Dr. Ravi Kumar explores why omega-3 fatty acids are foundational to human health—touching on their biochemistry, evolutionary history, robust clinical evidence, and practical strategies for optimizing intake. You’ll learn: What “omega-3” really means and why your body can’t make these fats on its ownEarly discoveries by George and Mildred Burr in the 1920sThe Inuit paradox: high-fat diets with low cardiovascular diseaseLandmark trials such as REDUCE-IT and EVAPORATE demonstrating cardioprotective effectsRoles across the lifespan: brain development, mood regulation, eye health, immune function, muscle maintenance, liver health, skin integrity, and moreEvolutionary insights from traditional populations and enzymatic conversion of ALA → EPA/DHAPractical guidance on food sources, supplement types (triglyceride vs. ethyl ester, krill, algal oil), dosing, safety (oxidation, contaminants), and certification (IFOS) Practical SuggestionsDaily baseline: Aim for ≥2 g combined EPA + DHA (with at least 1 g EPA)High-dose therapy: 3–4 g/day EPA-rich for hypertriglyceridemia, arthritis, depressionPregnancy: At least 500 mg DHA daily (algal oil option for vegans)Food sources: Prioritize small, low-contaminant fish (sardines, anchovies, mackerel); include wild-caught salmon sparinglySupplement selection: Choose triglyceride-form fish oil, IFOS-certified; watch for oxidation (peroxide/anisidine levels) and contaminant removal via molecular distillationLifestyle context: Reduce omega-6 seed oils to improve ALA→EPA/DHA conversion; honor ancestral dietary patternsReferenceshttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3657456/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25604397/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7037798/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7759779/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S000291652312911X?via%3Dihubhttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0044926https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9228863/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16825680/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523294861https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12442909/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002916523275462?via%3Dihubhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7270479/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7761957/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4480667/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3021432/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7561009/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857162/https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0088103https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8832668/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3138218/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6155966/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22023985/https://www.jbc.org/article/S0021-9258(19)36227-1/fulltexthttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28694914/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12771037/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24553997/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11895157/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28261950/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21569104/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26353789/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22591891/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21961774/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9406129/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27541690/https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2024.1440479/fullhttps://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2812063/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15555528/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7362115/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28900017/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20434961/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10447496/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23515006/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17240089/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17556695/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12509593/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9355374/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4054797/https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/full/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000709https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32860032/https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1812792https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.105.581355https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2008.04.018https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4102857/https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38982829/
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    41 m
  • Episode 7: Why You Should Be Taking Vitamin K2

    Episode 7: Why You Should Be Taking Vitamin K2
    Jun 13 2025
    Episode 7: Why You Should Be Taking Vitamin K2 Host: Dr. Ravi Kumar MDTopic: A comprehensive look at vitamin K2’s discovery, mechanisms, clinical evidence, and why it’s essential for calcium homeostasis, bone strength, and vascular health. 📖 Episode Overview Historical journey from Weston A. Price’s “Activator X” to the Nobel‐winning discovery of vitamin KBiochemical roles of K1 vs. K2: activating clotting factors vs. directing calcium into bones and out of arteriesAncestral dietary patterns that once guaranteed year-round vitamin K2 intakeKey clinical findings on bone mineral density, fracture risk, arterial calcification, and beyondDrug interactions: how warfarin and statins inadvertently disrupt K2 pathwaysSupplementation strategy: MK-7 vs. MK-4, practical dosing, and Dr. Kumar’s personal protocolNext episode teaser on omega-3 fatty acids✨ Key TakeawaysVitamin K2 (menaquinones) is indispensable for proper calcium placement—bones vs. arteries.Traditional diets provided K2 via seasonal greens and fermented foods; modern diets are often deficient.Meta-analyses and RCTs demonstrate up to 57% fewer fractures and slower arterial calcification with K2.MK-7 (180–375 µg/day) offers superior bioavailability and tissue delivery compared to MK-4.Pair K2 with vitamin D and dietary fat for optimal absorption.📚 References & Study SummariesDietary Intake of Menaquinone Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Coronary Heart Disease in Older Men and WomenProspective cohort of older adults showing that higher dietary menaquinone (vitamin K2) intake was linked to a significant reduction in coronary heart disease incidence.ScienceDirectVitamin K2 Ameliorates Osteoarthritis by Suppressing Ferroptosis and Extracellular Matrix Degradation Through Activation of GPX4Preclinical rodent study demonstrating that MK-7 improves cartilage integrity, reduces pain scores, and lowers osteoarthritis severity by inhibiting ferroptosis and activating the antioxidant enzyme GPX4.ScienceDirectMultiple Dietary Vitamin K Forms Are Converted to Tissue MK-4 in MiceAnimal feeding trial revealing that dietary phylloquinone (K1) and various menaquinones (MK-4, MK-7, MK-9) all serve as precursors for tissue MK-4, highlighting a common conversion pathway across tissues.ScienceDirectRole of Menaquinone-7 in Bone Health: A Comprehensive ReviewSystematic review in Frontiers in Nutrition summarizing mechanistic and clinical evidence for MK-7’s effectiveness in enhancing bone mineral density, reducing fracture risk, and exhibiting an excellent safety profile.Frontiers in NutritionEffect of Vitamin K2 on Bone Mineral Density and Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal WomenMeta-analysis of RCTs involving over 6,400 participants, showing that VK2 supplementation (primarily MK-4 and MK-7) significantly improved lumbar spine BMD and lowered overall fracture risk by approximately 57%.PubMedVitamin K Status in Chronic Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis PatientsObservational study reporting elevated levels of undercarboxylated vitamin K-dependent proteins (dp-ucMGP, ucOC) in CKD and dialysis cohorts, indicating widespread subclinical K deficiency in these populations.PMCDietary Vitamin K Intake and Bone Health in Public-Health PopulationsPopulation-level analysis linking higher dietary vitamin K intake to reduced osteoporosis prevalence and fewer fractures among older adults, reinforcing the public-health importance of K.Frontiers in Public HealthHigh-Dose MK-7 Supplementation and Vascular Calcification MarkersDouble-blind RCT (360 µg MK-7/day for 3 months) demonstrating marked reductions in dp-ucMGP—a biomarker of vascular calcification risk—in healthy volunteers.PubMedLong-Term MK-4 Therapy Prevents Vertebral Fractures in Osteoporotic WomenClinical trial showing that 45 mg/day MK-4 over 3 years significantly lowered the incidence of new vertebral fractures compared to control, despite pharmacologic dosing far above dietary levels.PubMedComparative Pharmacokinetics of MK-7 vs. MK-4 in HumansPharmacokinetic study revealing that MK-7 has a substantially longer half-life and higher steady-state blood levels than MK-4 when administered orally, supporting MK-7’s use in supplementation.PubMedEffect of Low-Dose MK-7 on Osteocalcin CarboxylationControlled trial finding that 180 µg/day of MK-7 for 12 weeks significantly increased the ratio of carboxylated to undercarboxylated osteocalcin, indicating enhanced bone-matrix protein activation.PubMedRegional Differences in Vitamin K2 Biomarkers and Bone HealthCross-sectional study of Japanese adults correlating serum K2 levels (MK-7) with superior bone density measures and lower fracture prevalence across regions with habitual natto consumption.SpringerLinkTraditional Dietary Sources of Vitamin K2 in Japanese CommunitiesEthnographic dietary survey documenting seasonal consumption of natto, fermented vegetables, and dairy in rural Japanese villages, with measured K2 intakes averaging >300 ...
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    32 m