For many years it was thought that vitamin K function was exclusively related to blood coagulation. However, over the past decade vitamin K has been linked also to two of the most important health issues, bone health and cardiovascular health. This action specifically centers on calcium utilization - implying that there is concurrent arterial calcification and bone loss when metabolism of dietary calcium is inadequate. This is called the Calcium Paradox. 

 

Vitamin K dependent proteins called the Gla proteins, including Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla Protein, specifically address the calcium paradox by promoting bone density, inhibiting bone loss and inhibiting vascular calcification. 

 

Natural Vitamin K2 has been shown in laboratory experiments, population based studies and clinical trials to be much more effective than K1 in preventing bone loss, promoting bone integrity, significantly reducing the incidence of arterial calcification and promoting cardiovascular health.  (Click here to request a copy of the Natural Vitamin K2 monograph.)  For further information, please visit http://www.menaq7.com and the research site www.vitamink2.org.

 

Facts about MenaQ7™ Natural Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (Mk-7):

• MenaQ7™ is the most bioavailable, longest lasting, and most bioactive form of Vitamin K2
• Only Natural Vitamin K2 consumption has been linked to the inhibition of arterial calcification
• MenaQ7™ is the ONLY clinically-supported Natural Vitamin K2
• MenaQ7™ is safe and effective at just 45mcg daily

 

For example, a recent study in the journal Blood compared vitamin K1 to MenaQ7™ Natural Mk-7 in humans, demonstrating a significant superiority for Mk-7 in four different human models, including blood half-life, resulting in more stable blood levels and dramatically greater accumulation of Mk-7. Mk-7 also more effectively promoted and activated markers of bone building and showed a marked advantage against vitamin K antagonists.  Additionally, several studies have tied the consumption of natural Mk-7 rich Natto to bone density and bone strength.

 

Cardiovascular Benefits of Natural Vitamin K2

Natural Vitamin K2 from food sources has been linked to significant inhibition of calcium accumulation in the arteries.  A recent study published the Journal of Nutrition with over 4,800 participants, showed that those with the highest

natural K2 consumption (45mcg) had 50% less arterial calcium accumulation and an equal reduction in risk of cardiovascular events. This was not found for vitamin K1.

 

Compelling in vivo research may provide the basis for new indications

In a study accepted by the journal Blood, researchers looked at the potential to regress calcification with vitamin K.   Arterial calcification was induced in rats in an accepted model.  Vitamin K2 supplementation was shown to reduce the previously accumulated arterial calcium precipitates.   Additionally, the regression of arterial calcification was accompanied by restoration of arterial distensibility, or elasticity as compared to the control animals.  Human research in this area is necessary to confirm these findings.

 

K-vitamins in healthy and atherosclerotic human aortas

(average from 3 donors)

 

 

local k2 content

 

 

Vitamin K supplementation and anticoagulation treatment

Patients receiving oral anti-coagulant therapy should not take Vitamin K supplements without consulting their physician first.  A group of experts in Europe recently recommended that supplementation of any type of vitamin K not exceed 100mcg daily, as this amount is not likely to interact with blood-thinning medications.  The recommended dose of 45mcg of MenaQ7™ is well below this threshold, and is a dose that is supported by the literature as efficacious.

 

PL Thomas, in alliance with NattoPharma, Norway, offers MenaQ7™ - the optimal Natural Vitamin K2 product.

 

MenaQ7™ is an extract of the Japanese fermented-soy food Natto, which is particularly rich in the highly bio-available form of vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (Mk-7).  MenaQ7™ provides a food extract of Mk-7, free of any soy protein and thus free of any concern of soy allergies. 

 

And MenaQ7™ is the natural, not synthetic, source of Vitamin K2.  There is another form of supplemental synthetic vitamin K2 available which is menatetrenone, or Mk-4.  Mk-4 is poorly absorbed and has an extremely short half-life, requiring mg doses, vs. mcg doses for Natural K2. 

 

Mk-7 is the most bioavailable form of K2 available, and also has the longest half-life in the body. This provides optimal vitamin K status with a recommended daily dose of just 45 mcg.

 

For Natural K2, look for the Q. MenaQ7™.

 

 

 

 

 

Ikeda, et. al. Intake of Fermented Soybeans, Natto, Is Associated with Reduced Bone Loss in Postmenopausal Women: Japanese Population-Based Osteoporosis (JPOS) Study J. Nutr. 136: 1323–1328, 2006.

 

Jeleinjse, et. a. Dietary Intake of Menaquinone Is Associated with a Reduced Risk of Coronary Heart Disease: The Rotterdam Study. J. Nutr. 134: 3100–3105, 2004.

Kaneki M et al : Japanese fermented soybean food as the major determinant of the large geographic differences in circulating levels of vitamin K2: Possible implications for hip-fracture risk. Nutrition. 2001, 17: 315-321.

 

Schurgers, et. al. K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7.  Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online December 7, 2006; DOI 10.1182/blood-2006-08-040709.

 

Schurgers, et al. Regression of warfarin-induced medial elastocalcinosis by high intake of vitamin K in rats. Blood First Edition Paper, prepublished online November 30, 2006; DOI 10.1182/blood-2006-07-035345

 

Vermeer ,C et al: Vitamin K supplementation: A simple way to improve bone and vascular health. AgroFood Industry High-Tech. Nov/Dec 2003.