Professor Leon Schurgers, PhD, internationally recognised vitamin K expert, Chair of the Department of Biochemistry at CARIM, Maastricht University (NL), presented compelling initial results from the VitaK-CAC Trial at the prestigious Linus Pauling Institute (LPI) “Diet and Optimum Health Conference.”
The event was held in Corvali (OR, US) in September and was sponsored by Gnosis by Lesaffre, maker of MenaQ7 vitamin K2, the source material for the trial.
Coronary artery calcification (CAC) is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, serving as an early marker of atherosclerosis. CAC occurs when calcium deposits accumulate in the artery walls, hardening them and increasing the risk of heart attacks, heart failure and stroke.
In his presentation, “The Role of Vitamin K in Aging: From Development to Senescence,” Prof. Schurgers expounded on the evidence of vitamin K2 as MK-7 supplementation in slowing the progression of CAC through its ability to carboxylate matrix Gla protein (MGP), which is responsible for protecting against vascular calcium deposition.
Novel cardiovascular support
His presentation covered a new randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial that sought to determine the protective effect of 2 years of supplementation with MK-7 (as MenaQ7) on slowing the progression of CAC in men and women.
MK-7 levels increased significantly in the supplement group but not in the placebo group. And whereas inactive MGP (dp-ucMGP) levels rose in both groups, the MK-7 group had significantly less.
Furthermore, while progression of calcification continued in both groups, MK-7 was able to slow the rate of progression significantly.
The new study was initiated based on the 2015 breakthrough 3-year study with MK-7 demonstrating improvements in arterial flexibility through reduced calcification in healthy post-menopausal women.
Prof. Schurgers, who chairs the Gnosis Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee, commented: “This trial breaks new ground by showing, for the first time, that a vitamin can slow CAC progression, help postpone the development of coronary calcium buildup in individuals with coronary artery disease.”
“This is a major step forward in translating MK-7 science into clinical cardiology. MenaQ7 continues to prove its exceptional value in proactive cardiovascular care.”
Significance of presenting at LPI
Gnosis has long recognised the value of working with non-commercial organisations around the world, such as the Council for Responsible Nutrition and ILSI Europe, as well as the weight it carries when these bodies acknowledge the impact vitamin K can have on improved global health.
“Prof. Schurgers’ presentation is the latest in Gnosis’s continually expanding scientific educational outreach programme, and it certainly won’t be the last,” added Lacey Hall, Gnosis Director of Medical Affairs.
“MenaQ7 has a robust and growing portfolio of evidence showing that it is one of the most authentic antiageing supplements available for healthy consumers as well as for populations requiring cardiovascular support.”