​How Vitamins A, D and K Work Synergistically ​How Vitamins A, D and K Work Synergistically

Sep 7th 2023

​How Vitamins A, D and K Work Synergistically

Written by Laurel Sterling, MA, RD, CDN

Laurel is a registered dietitian-nutritionist and certified nutritionist and has worked in the natural products industry since 2000. She has a passion for empowering others through nutritional education.

Vitamins A, D, and K are three fat-soluble vitamins that not only have unique functions but also interrelate in fascinating ways to support overall health and wellness. They hold significant importance in maintaining optimal health due to their individual roles as well as their synergistic relationship in the human body. We'll take a look at the individual roles of these vitamins as well as how they work together to support everything from healthy immune function to strong bones. 

The Health Benefits of Vitamins A, D, and K

Each of these vitamins has unique attributes. Vitamin A is an important antioxidant that is essential for the formation of white blood cells and aids in strengthening our natural immune response. It is integral for maintaining healthy vision, ensuring the normal functioning of organs, promoting growth and development, facilitating reproduction, assisting cellular communication and growth, and supporting skin health.

The primary role of vitamin D involves regulating the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and promoting bone and teeth health. It is also vital for cell growth and regulation, and supporting healthy immune function and a healthy, balanced inflammation response. We can begin to see why vitamin D is so important, as cells with vitamin D3 receptors are found throughout the body, and it is necessary for so many functions within our bodies.

Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and maintaining strong bones. It's primarily responsible for producing prothrombin – a protein necessary for blood clotting and bone metabolism. Also, research over the past several years has been showing how valuable and necessary vitamin K is for adults as well as children in supporting healthy cardiovascular function and promoting healthy blood flow by maintaining vascular elasticity.

The interplay between vitamins A, D, and K is a classic example of nutritional synergy, where each one enhances the other's effectiveness. For instance, vitamin D promotes calcium absorption, but it's vitamin K that directs calcium to the areas of our body that need it most. They work together to promote strong bones and to ensure proper calcium usage.

Vitamins A and D both support healthy immune function, but they do so through different pathways. Numerous studies have provided clinical evidence supporting these synergistic relationships with regards to bone and cardiovascular health, and there’s growing evidence suggesting their combined effect on boosting immunity. 

This dynamic trio offers multiple health benefits when taken together at mealtime. There is a synergetic advantage with fat-soluble nutrients having better absorption when taken with food. More specifically, fat-soluble supplements should be taken with a meal containing healthy fats, like avocado, salmon, nut butter, or yogurt for optimal absorption. When we consume and begin to digest fats, our pancreas releases enzymes like lipase and our gallbladder releases bile to help break fats down into smaller units for our gastrointestinal tract to absorb.

Vitamins A, D & K are indispensable nutrients with unique functions yet interrelated roles within the body's metabolic pathways. Understanding the synergistic relationship between them is crucial for optimal health benefits making them an indispensable part of our daily supplement regimen. Check out Carlson A D3 K2, featuring these important vitamins in one formula.