Holly,

When I was in medical school, I learned about a real-life Indiana Jones. Like me, he didn’t subscribe to the mainstream way of medicine. He truly wanted to find out what makes people healthy.

This renegade researcher traveled the globe to finally discover a missing nutrient lacking in today’s modern food supply.

I’m talking about Dr. Weston Price.

Dr. Price discovered the “what” but now I know the “how.” He discovered the missing nutrient, but he didn’t realize the extent of its powers on the human body. And how it actually activates your stem cells.

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that stem cells are the most powerful cells in your body. They are your reserve of healthy master cells that can grow into any other kind of human cell. It’s how your body was designed to repair itself.

You see, he found the tribes that stayed true to their native diets had no trace of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity... or even crooked teeth. They all had wide, attractive faces, full smiles and no hint of excess fat.

Dr. Price found that native diets contained 10 times the amount of fat-soluble vitamins, and at least four times the amount of calcium and other minerals than Western diets.

At the same time, their intake of omega-3 fats was at least 10 times higher than in today's diet. And their diets were rich in other ways...

Wherever Dr. Price went, he found all native diets had one essential nutrient in common — an all-important fat-soluble nutrient, which he labeled “Activator X.”

Today, we know Activator X as vitamin K2. This is one critical nutrient that we’re severely lacking today.

Recent research has revealed K2 as a “youth nutrient,” because it boosts the production of stem cells in your body — providing you with an impenetrable immune system and a heightened ability to regenerate and heal.^1,2,3

Studies now show that K2 is a powerful stem cell regulator that supercharges bone marrow stem cells, the very source of your body’s immune system. It’s the nutrient your immune system needs to stay strong and robust, so you don’t have to worry about chronic diseases.

Bones and teeth are strengthened because K2 promotes the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into “osteo” cells — thereby generating new bone.^4,5

Vitamin K2 has also been shown to reactivate “sleeping” adult stem cells, get them back to work keeping your bones and skeletal frame youthful and strong. These mesenchymal stem cells also bolster the function of bone marrow, which produces red blood cells, platelets, and immune cells that allow your body to stave off infections and diseases.⁶

Other studies show K2 fights inflammation — the root of all disease — by controlling the production of certain immune system stem cells.⁷

Boost Your Stem Cells for Primal Health with “Activator X”

Dr. Price found his “Activator X” in fish, shellfish, organ meats and butter from cows eating green grass. Our primal ancestors got plenty from eating organ meats like liver, kidney, heart, eyes and brains. Fortunately, there are other ways to get enough K2.

1. First, eat these foods rich in activator X. Goose and liver is particularly high in K2. Three and a half ounces of goose liver will provide at 369 mcg of K2. Natto, the Japanese dish of fermented whole soybeans, is also rich in K2. There are 200 mcg of K2 in a half ounce of natto. Other good sources include meat, full-fat milk, cottage cheese, butter and cheese.
   
   
2. Then, dine on this delicacy. One of the best sources of all is what I call a “K2 Superfood” — bone marrow.
   
   In almost every ancient fire pit discovered in caves dating back to the Paleolithic period, scientists have found piles of animal bones broken open with every trace of the marrow consumed. Our ancient ancestors just devoured this soft mushy pulp inside the bone.
   
   It’s loaded with vitamin K2. Not to mention, growth factors, stem cells, collagen, fat-soluble vitamins, and fats your body needs to build, repair, and maintain your bones, teeth, skin, and connective tissues including ligaments, tendons and cartilage.
   
   Although it’s mostly composed of fat, it has multiple proven health benefits — including boosting your immune system, thanks to the myeloid and lymphoid stem cells it contains.
   
   
3. Also, supplement with the right kind of K2. Vitamin K2 comes in several different forms called menaquinones. They’re numbered from four to nine. The higher the number, the more bioavailable and long-lasting the K2. Look for vitamin K2 in the form of menaquinone-7. It’s much more bioactive than menaquinone-4.
   
   You can find K2 at your health food store or online. I recommend up to 90 mcg a day to my patients. And, as it’s fat-soluble, take it with a meal to improve absorption.
   
   

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears, MD, CNS

References

1. Fujishiro A, et al. "Vitamin K2 supports hematopoiesis through acting on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells." Blood. 2015;126:1192.
2. Maresz K, et al. “New study shows evidence that MensaQ7 positively impacts inflammation.” Paper presented at 13th international Nutrition and Diagnostic Conference. INDC 2013.
3. Nemeth K. "Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for immune‐modulation: The donor, the recipient, and the drugs in‐between." Exp Dermatol. 2014;23(9):625-628.
4. Fujishiro A, et al. "Vitamin K2 supports hematopoiesis through acting on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells." Blood. 2015;126-1192.
5. Nemeth K. "Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for immune‐modulation: The donor, the recipient, and the drugs in‐between." Exp Dermatol. 2014;23(9):625-628.
6. Fujishiro A, et al. "Vitamin K2 supports hematopoiesis through acting on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells." Blood. 2015;126-1192.
7. Maresz K, et al. “New study shows evidence that MensaQ7 positively impacts inflammation.” Paper presented at 13th international Nutrition and Diagnostic Conference. INDC 2013.