Vitamin K2

What is Vitamin K2?

Vitamin K, which is actually a group of vitamins, plays an important role in blood clotting. The 'K' stands for 'Koagulation', the German word for 'coagulation', which is the process where our blood changes from a liquid to a gel.

There are two forms of Vitamin K: Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), found in lots of plant foods, and the less common Vitamin K2 (menaquinone), found in some fermented foods, such as natto (fermented soya beans), and in some animal foods. Vitamin K2 is also commonly missing from many supplement powders and meal replacement shakes.

What does Vitamin K2 do?

Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting, by activating proteins involved in that process.

Vitamin K does more than help our blood clot: Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. There are at least three Vitamin K-dependent proteins found in our bones. Researchers have looked at Vitamin K and bone metabolism, and a review looked at trials of Vitamin K supplementation and bone.

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Why it's in OsteoFriend®

Vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein, which bind calcium and incorporate it into the bone matrix, reducing the risk of arterial calcification and promoting proper skeletal mineralisation.¹

Why it's in Bone & Muscle Support

Regulation of calcium distribution: MK-7 activates matrix Gla-protein (MGP) and osteocalcin, two Vitamin K-dependent proteins that direct calcium away from soft tissues (including arteries and possibly muscles) and toward bone. This prevents ectopic calcification, which can impair muscle elasticity, contractility and microcirculation.²

Vascular health: By keeping vascular tissue free from calcium deposition, K2 supports optimal perfusion and oxygen delivery to muscles, which is particularly important during exertion and recovery.³

Synergy with Vitamin D3: D3 increases Calcium absorption, while K2 ensures proper calcium utilisation and clearance, thereby minimising potential risks of hypercalcemia or soft tissue calcification.⁴

MK-7 Specifics: Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) has a long half-life and is more effective than K1 or MK-4 at activating extrahepatic Gla-proteins, including those in muscle and vascular tissue.⁵

Synergistic action for muscle health

D3 enhances Calcium absorption, Magnesium modulates calcium handling, and K2 ensures proper deposition, together reducing muscle fatigue, cramping and risk of musculoskeletal degeneration.

Calcium and Magnesium maintain the electrochemical gradients necessary for healthy muscle excitability and contraction-relaxation cycles.

In athletes, older adults and those with chronic illness or malabsorption, supplementation of this combination supports:

Prevention of cramps and spasms Improved muscular endurance and strength Reduced fall and fracture risk Protection against sarcopenia Support for mitochondrial energy metabolism

Why it's in Daily Multivitamin

Vitamin K2 plays an essential role in calcium metabolism by activating osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein (MGP), which help direct calcium to bones and teeth while preventing arterial calcification. This makes it essential for skeletal health and cardiovascular protection. Emerging research also highlights its potential role in insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function.⁶

Why it's in Pregnancy Multinutrient

Is essential for proper calcium metabolism, ensuring that calcium is directed to the bones and teeth, which supports the development of the foetal skeletal system.

Why it's in Women's ProMulti

Fat-soluble vitamins, specifically Vitamins A, D, E, and K, play an essential role in maintaining various physiological functions and overall health in women. Unlike water-soluble vitamins, these vitamins are absorbed along with dietary fats and can be stored in the body's fatty tissues and liver, allowing for a sustained supply. Each vitamin serves unique functions.

Vitamin K is essential for blood coagulation and bone metabolism. Vitamin K serves as a cofactor for the enzyme gamma-glutamyl carboxylase, which catalyses the post-translational modification of specific proteins involved in blood coagulation. This modification (gamma-carboxylation) is essential for the function of clotting factors such as prothrombin (factor II), factors VII, IX, and X. Vitamin K is crucial for the synthesis of osteocalcin, a protein produced by osteoblasts that binds calcium to the bone matrix. This process helps maintain bone density and strength. Vitamin K also activates matrix Gla-protein (MGP), which inhibits vascular calcification, contributing to cardiovascular health by maintaining the elasticity and function of blood vessels.

Why it's in MenoFriend® and PeriMenoFriend®

Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2 are essential for bone and cardiovascular health.

Bone health: Vitamin D3 is essential for calcium absorption and maintaining adequate serum calcium and phosphate levels, which are critical for bone mineralisation. Vitamin K2 activates proteins that help bind calcium to the bone matrix, promoting bone density. The activation of matrix Gla-protein (MGP) by K2 helps prevent arterial calcification and promotes bone health, making it a vital nutrient in postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Cardiovascular health: Vitamin D3 is involved in maintaining heart muscle function and regulating blood pressure, whereas Vitamin K2 prevents vascular calcification. Adequate levels of Vitamin D3 and K2 may reduce the increased cardiovascular risk through their roles in calcium homeostasis and vascular health.