Vitamin K2: Underestimated nutrient for strong bones and a healthy heart?
In the world of vitamins and minerals, there are some that are often overlooked, even though they play a crucial role in our health. One of these vitamins is vitamin K. It refers to a group of fat-soluble vitamins that are essential for humans. They are mainly needed for blood clotting, vascular health and bone formation. There are two naturally occurring forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinone (vitamin K2).
Vitamin K2 exists in various forms. They differ in the length of their isoprenoid side chain (Mk‑n) and their form (Cis/trans), whereby the “Mk” stands for “menanquinone” and the “n” for the number of isoprenoid units. The most common forms of vitamin K2 are Mk‑4 and Mk‑7.
 |  |  | |
| Description | Vitamin K1 Phylloquinone | Vitamin K2 Menaquinone Mk-4 | Vitamin K2 Menaquinone Mk-7 |
| Function | Blood clotting | Bone and cardiovascular health | Bone and cardiovascular health |
| Bioavailability | Low bioavailability | Normal bioavailability | High bioavailability |
| Half-life* | 1-2 hours | 1-2 hours | 72 hours |
| Sources | Plant-based foods | Cheese, goose liver, animal products | Natto |
*The half-life defines the time in which the concentration of vitamin K2 in the blood plasma falls to half its original value.
Vitamin K2 against today’s common diseases?
In combination with vitamin D and calcium, vitamin K2 has a decisive influence on bone and vascular health. Osteoporosis and arteriosclerosis are two of the most common diseases among older people. It is estimated that more than 200 million people currently suffer from osteoporosis. The global prevalence of arteriosclerosis in people aged 30 — 79 years is estimated to be 27.6% in 2020, which corresponds to around 1 billion people affected by arteriosclerosis.
Arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis are therefore widespread diseases in the population — and the trend is rising. Calcium supplements are often used to prevent osteoporosis, but an excess of calcium can lead to calcification of the arteries and thus increase the risk of arteriosclerosis, as calcium deposits can increase the risk of blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks and strokes. Numerous studies, however, have shown a positive correlation between vitamin K2 and a healthy cardiovascular system and bone health in humans. This in turn offers the life science industry numerous potentials for the development of products containing vitamin K2.
Effect of vitamin K2 in the body
Vitamin K is absorbed in the intestine and transported via the blood to the liver, where it fulfills its main function. The main function of vitamin K2 — primarily in the highly bioactive form all-trans MK‑7 — is to regulate the calcium balance in the body. It activates specific proteins that are responsible for the incorporation of calcium into the bones and protection against calcium deposits in the arteries. This helps to maintain bone health while reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis and osteoporosis. The latest study results also indicate that vitamin K2 has an antispasmodic effect.
Bones are a dynamic structure that is constantly being built and remodeled. Around eight percent of the skeleton is renewed every year. Bone regeneration is mainly controlled by two cell types: osteoclasts and osteoblasts.
On the one hand, vitamin K2 activates a protein (the matrix Gla protein (cMGP)), which binds calcium in the bloodstream and thus makes it available for bone formation. On the other hand, it carboxylates (= activates) osteocalcin: calcium can now be stored in the bone structure.
In short, vitamin K2 puts the calcium in the right place.
Oseteoclast
Osteoclasts are specialized cells that are responsible for the breakdown of bone structure. They dissolve the mineral bone matrix and resorb the released minerals, especially calcium. This process is known as bone resorption and is important for removing old or damaged bone substances and making room for new bone tissue.
Osteoblast
Osteoblasts are the cells that build new bone tissue. They secrete osteocalcin, produce the organic bone matrix and mineralize it with calcium and phosphate to ensure the typical strength of the bone.
Vitamin K2 against arteriosclerosis
Arteries and vessels harden in the course of life and lose flexibility because lipids and calcium are deposited in the vessel walls (Slide 1).
When matrix Gla proteins (MGP) are uncarboxylated (uc), calcium is deposited in the arterial walls. This leads to stiffening of the arterial walls, impairs cardiovascular function and increases the risk of blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, heart attacks and strokes. (Slide 2)
Vitamin K2 activates the MG proteins (from ucMGP to cMGP), which then bind excess calcium in the bloodstream and prevent it from being deposited in the soft tissues of the bloodstream.
Vitamin K2 is therefore also of central importance for heart health.
Why should vitamin K2 be supplemented?
Vitamin K2 does occur naturally in some foods, such as matured cheese, eggs, sauerkraut or fermented soybeans (natto). However, the highly bioavailable trans-MK‑7 is much harder to find in foods and only in small quantities. This means that food sources alone are not sufficient to cover the body’s requirements. In addition, compared to other fat-soluble vitamins, vitamin K2 can only be stored by the body to a limited extent, which is why a sufficient daily intake is important.
Supplementation with vitamin K2 can be useful if:
- the diet contains little vitamin K2-containing food,
- specific health needs, such as osteoporosis or cardiovascular disease,
- to ensure that the body is supplied with enough vitamin K2 for optimal bone health or
- to prevent vascular calcification caused by calcium deposits.
Vitamin K2 daily requirement and who belongs to the risk group for a deficiency
| Age | Vitamin K intake recommendation µg/day | |
|---|---|---|
| Men | Women | |
| 25 to 51 years | 70 | 60 |
| From 51 years | 80 | 65 |
| Pregnant women | 60 | |
| Breastfeeding | 60 | |
The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends an intake of 70 µg to 80 µg vitamin K per day for adult men and 60 µg to 65 µg vitamin K per day for adult women. An increased need for vitamin K2 can occur in various groups of people. People with an unbalanced or unbalanced diet, certain illnesses, older people and people taking antibiotics are particularly at risk. In the case of chronic intestinal disorders or osteoporosis, an additional supply of nutrients may be necessary to ensure an adequate supply of vitamin K2.
Breastfed infants are also at risk of vitamin K deficiency, as vitamin K is only transported insufficiently via the placenta, the concentrations of coagulation factors are low and the infant’s intestine is sterile at and after birth (= no formation of vitamin K2 via intestinal bacteria). In addition, breast milk only contains small amounts of vitamin K. To prevent bleeding tendencies, infants are therefore given vitamin K immediately after birth as a prophylactic measure.
Application of vitamin K2 in various industries
Vitamin K2 is incorporated into consumer products in various forms, including capsules, tablets, powder and oil. This versatility allows vitamin K2 to be used in a variety of industries and made available to a wide range of consumers.
In the dietary supplement industry, it is often offered in the form of capsules and tablets to support bone health and heart health. In the food industry, vitamin K2 is found in functional foods such as fortified dairy products and fermented foods. In some cases, vitamin K2 is also used in the cosmetics industry to enrich skin care products that promote skin health. Finally, vitamin K2 plays a role in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the development of drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.
Vitamin K2: challenges in terms of quality and availability on the market
The quality and availability of vitamin K2 as a raw material poses considerable challenges for the market. The production of high-quality vitamin K2 is complex and expensive. At the same time, there are vitamin K versions that are less complex to produce but also less bioavailable. They do not offer the same health benefits as MAGNESIA’s RiviK2®.
Due to the high demand and limited availability of high-quality vitamin K2, some suppliers tend to dilute their products or sell inferior versions as high-quality. This can not only compromise the effectiveness of the end products, but also pose potential health risks to consumers.
High-quality vitamin K2, such as the branded product RiviK2®, which we have exclusively in our portfolio, is characterized by high bioavailability and purity. It is manufactured according to strict purity criteria and the product specifications are regularly checked by our quality management team.
You can therefore be sure that you are offering your consumers the best possible quality to support their health in the best possible way.
Below you will find a selection of our most popular RiviK2® variants. Please contact us for further dosages or other carriers.
Oil-based vitamin K2
MAGNESIA 7801202
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- Soybean oil base
- 1,500 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
MAGNESIA 7801200
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- Soybean oil base
- 2,000 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
MAGNESIA 7801205
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- MCT oil base
- 10,000 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
MAGNESIA 7801201
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- MCT oil base
- 20,000 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
MAGNESIA 7801204
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- Olive oil base
- 20,000 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
Maltodextrin-based vitamin K2
MAGNESIA 7801300
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- Maltodextrin base
- 2,000 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
MAGNESIA 7801301
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- Basis Maltodextrin
- 10,000 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
MAGNESIA 7801302
RiviK2® Vitamin K2
- MCC base
- 13,000 ppm
- all-trans MK‑7
- Highly bioavailable
