Have you ever heard of Activator X? Ramiel Nagel, author of Cure Tooth Decay: Heal & Prevent Cavities With Nutrition, describes a brief history of Activator X in his book. He says that Dr. Weston A. Price, now famous for his discovery of this fascinating nutrient, “theorized, ‘There must be some food substance that is not adequately provided in modern nutrition…’(source 100). [Dr. Price] thought this because skeletons of indigenous people [that he studied] show perfect bone growth and immunity to tooth decay. Activator X is this missing nutrient” (pg 38).

Benefits of Activator X:

1. Dental Health

Ramiel Nagel goes on to say that grass-fed butter is one of the best sources of this nutrient, and “in [his] experience[,] having grass-fed butter […] is essential in order to remineralize tooth decay. The content of Activator X in butter can be seen by its pigment. The period of rapid growth for grass occurs anywhere from May through September, depending on the particular climate. The more yellow and orange the summer butter, the more vitamin rich it likely is. Activator X-rich butter is a factor of the soil, the time of year, the breed of the animal and the types of grasses, herbs and legumes consumed. Grass-fed butter is not always rich in Activator X, but only rich when there is rapid new growth” (pg 38). He also says that he has “found summer grass-fed butter to be highly effective in making teeth very hard, and in securing loose teeth in their sockets by strengthening the periodontal ligament” (pg 39).

2. The Body’s Proper Usage Of Calcium

Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD, notes in her book Gut and Psychology Syndrome that deficiency in this nutrient “leads to deposition of calcium in soft tissues and initiation of inflammation, while the bones and teeth do not get enough calcium” (pg 130). This could lead to scary consequences, potentially including atherosclerosis.

What is Activator X? 

Now we see that Activator X is not only beneficial, but necessary for a healthy body. But, what exactly is it? According to this article, Activator X is actually fat-soluble vitamin K2: “Vitamin K2 MK-4 is Dr. Price’s activator X and is unique, in that it is the only form that is not the product of bacterial synthesis, but comes from animal sources.” Dr. Campbell-McBride tells us in her book that “the richest sources [of Activator X] are organ meats, full-fat cheese, good quality butter and cream (yellow and orange from grass-fed animals), animal fats and egg yolks” (pg 130). Ramiel Nagel also identifies sources of Activator X, saying that it is “found in its highest concentration in grass-fed dairy, when the animals graze on rapidly growing green grass, and is also present in fish eggs, and the organs and fat of some land animals when they graze on rapidly growing plants. (source 101)” (pg 38). I don’t know about you, but getting enough vitamin K2 doesn’t sound too difficult this beautiful time of year! 

       Surely, if this important nutrient is imperative for overall good bodily health, there are likely more benefits than just a sturdy skeleton, a beautiful smile, and the delicious flavor of fresh raw dairy in the bloom of Spring and Summer. In my opinion, now is the perfect time to boost the health of yourself and your loved ones with an ice-cold glass of raw milk and a side of thickly-spread yellow butter on sourdough toast. Or, maybe even treat your family to some homemade ice cream using fresh cream, raw egg yolks, and quality maple syrup.