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Published on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 12:44

Low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation improved extra-hepatic vitamin K status, but had no effect on thrombin generation in healthy subjects

In a recent study executed at VitaK laboratories we demonstrate that intake of vitamin K2 (MenaQ7) in dosages around the RDA is sufficient to improve the vitamin K status of arteries and bones. These tissues produce the vitamin K-dependent proteins MGP and osteocalcin, which are key factors for maintaining bone strength and vascular elasticity. In the normal, healthy population, 10-40 % of both proteins occur in an inactive form, and vitamin K is the essential cofactor required for synthesizing the active conformations. Hence extra vitamin K2 intake may help protect against detrimental bone loss and vascular calcification. The paper, written by Elke Theuwissen and colleagues, also demonstrates that extra intake of vitamin K2 is safe and does not have adverse effects on the haemostatic system in the healthy population. Whether vitamin K supplements may contribute to public health, for instance by protecting against age-related diseases is presently investigated at VitaK. This study was financially supported by NattoPharma, distributor of MenaQ7 and published this week in the British Journal of Nutrition.