How Vitamin K2 Supports Hearts & Bones
Most people associate Vitamin K with coagulation, however, Vitamin K—specifically Vitamin K2—has earned a strong reputation as an effective bone and cardiovascular support nutrient due to a substantial body of recent clinical evidence.
Both bone and cardiovascular health are dictated by how the body utilises calcium. Ideally the body will bind calcium to the bone mineral matrix, making stronger, denser bones. But if left unattended, calcium does not make it to our bones. Rather, it will deposit in arteries, blood vessels and soft tissues, increasing risks for developing cardiovascular diseases.
Enter Vitamin K2: by activating proteins already present in the body—Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), respectively—K2 binds calcium to the bones, while stopping it from depositing in arteries and soft tissues.
Unfortunately, Western populations have insufficient intake of Vitamin K2 from their regular diets. Further, a recent review highlighted that statins, the most prescribed cholesterol medication, actually inhibit the synthesis of K2, limiting its ability to activate MGP.
Breakthrough MenaQ7 Studies
Like most nutritional ingredients, there are many varieties offered by different suppliers in the market and Vitamin K2 is no exception. However, one Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (MenaQ7 from NattoPharma) has been the source material for the clinical studies discovering and confirming the health benefits of Vitamin K2, including the studies done with Vitamin D3 and the groundbreaking bone and cardiovascular studies cited by all K2 suppliers.
A three year study of 244 healthy post-menopausal women taking 180 microgram dose of MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7 daily yielded unprecedented results:
- Clinically statistically significant protection of the vertebrae and the hip (femoral neck) against bone loss was the result of a daily nutritional dose of MenaQ7. After 3 years of supplementation, maintenance in both bone mineral content and bone mineral density were statistically significant in the MenaQ7 group, as well as statistically improved bone strength.[1]
- Using pulse wave velocity and ultrasound techniques, researchers observed the Stiffness Index ß in MenaQ7 group with initial high arterial stiffness had decreased significantly compared to the slight increase in the placebo group after Three years of supplementation at a nutritional daily dose. Results confirmed that MenaQ7 not only inhibited age-related stiffening of the artery walls, but also made a statistically significant improvement in vascular elasticity.[2]
These findings are significant because this is the first time any form of vitamin K has shown these benefits. This is also true of other therapies to date, no compound has ever before demonstrated these benefits and the only Vitamin K2 as MK-7 to demonstrate them is MenaQ7 from NattoPharma.
MenaQ7: The Right K2 For Your Brand
Vitamin K2 as MK-7 is now known as an essential nutrient for all life’s stages because:
- NattoPharma has sponsored all the research confirming safety and efficacy, providing MenaQ7 as the source material for 19+ published clinical studies. While other K2 suppliers will reference these studies, they neglect to note that MenaQ7 was the source material, citing that their K2 material is “comparable”.
- NattoPharma actively engages media to educate about clinical discoveries, creating demand.
These ongoing efforts open new avenues for manufacturers, creating true potential for products.
In addition to being the best clinically validated K2 on the market, MenaQ7 offers the ONLY comprehensive Vitamin K2 portfolio, giving manufacturers the option of using natural (either soy and chickpea sourced) or natural-identical synthetic options. And these varieties come in an array of solubilities so that MenaQ7 can be incorporated into almost any application imaginable.
Contact NattoPharma today to learn more about incorporating the technology in your formulation to ensure the most robust delivery of MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7.
Reference:1. Knapen MHJ, Drummen NE, Smit E, Vermeer C, Theuwissen E. Osteoporos Int. (Sept 2013). 24(9): 2499-2507.
2. Knapen MH et al, Braam LAJL, Drummen NE, Bekers O, Hoeks APG, Vermeer C. Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2015 113 5: 1135-1144.
*NattoPharma ASA has the exclusive use of a Vitamin K2 patent portfolio originating with VitaK, world experts in vitamin K, at Maastricht University. The company continues to develop this patent portfolio, with new and expanding claims regarding the benefits of vitamin K, and especially vitamin K2. To that end, MenaQ7 is has six patents granted and pending in USA, Canada, 15 European countries, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, India, Korea, South Korea, and China.
