Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7): The Vital Nutrient for the Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease
What is Vitamin K2?
Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7) is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. The original term vitamin “K” comes from the K in the Germanic word Koagulation, meaning the ability to clot blood or prevent haemorrhage. Vitamin K2 has numerous functions and clinical applications which will be discussed in this EDM.
Research has found that Vitamin K2 is better absorbed than Vitamin K1. Additionally, Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7) has a longer half-life compared to menaquinone-4. Menaquinone-7 has the highest bioavailability among the different forms of menaquinones. The chemical-physical properties of menaquinone-7 make it transportable by plasma lipoproteins, increase extrahepatic availability, and produce the longest half-life. Making Vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) a suitable choice for Listed Medicine products.
Functions of Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 has numerous functions in various cells, tissues, and systems, especially its vital role in bone and blood health. Some of the functions of Vitamin K2 include:
- Blood coagulation
- Calcium transport
- Preventing calcium deposition in the lining of blood vessel walls
- Production and carboxylation of osteocalcin
- Synthesis of matrix Gla protein
- Bone mineralisation and bone health
- Improvement of cardiometabolic health
- Reduction of arterial stiffening
- Transcriptional regulation
- Regulation of sphingolipid metabolism
- Energy metabolism
- Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Immunomodulatory properties
Clinical Applications of Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 has numerous clinical applications. Most research on the uses of Vitamin K2 menaquinone-7 is focused on the cardiovascular and skeletal effects in cardiovascular diseases and skeletal conditions, respectively, and expands into conditions with a cardiovascular and/or skeletal component, for example, chronic kidney disease and diabetes. Some of the clinical applications of Vitamin K2 include:
- Osteoporosis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Thalassaemic osteopathy
- Arterial stiffness
- Coronary and vascular calcification
- Type 2 diabetes
- Chronic kidney disease
- Depression in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
Vitamin K2 Deficiency
A deficiency of vitamin K2 has been linked with vascular calcification and osteoporosis. With vitamin K deficiency, matrix Gla protein is not activated and undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein predominantly accumulates in the areas of vascular calcification and is associated with both intimal and medial calcification.
Vitamin K deficiency may occur as a result of an inadequate dietary supply, liver disease, biliopancreatic disturbances, enteric diseases that may cause malabsorption (inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, etc.), chronic kidney disease, cystic fibrosis, and alcoholism.
Suggested Doses of Vitamin K2
The suggested dose range of Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7) is 90-180 micrograms per day.
Conclusion
With all the functions and clinical applications of Vitamin K2 menaquinone-7, the question is, should everyone be taking Vitamin K2 menaquinone-7?
Reference
McEwen B. Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone-7): The Vital Nutrient For The Prevention And Management Of Chronic Disease. JACNEM 2024; 43(1): 8-21.
For information purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice. If symptoms persist, talk to a health professional.
For more information on Vitamin K2 for your products, contact CMG at info@cmgrouponline.com.au