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Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-4 (MK4)) Facts
Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin found in fermented foods and animal products like eggs, meat, and dairy. Unlike vitamin K1, which is primarily used by the liver for blood clotting, K2 helps activate two critical proteins, osteocalcin, which binds calcium into bone matrix, and matrix Gla-protein (MGP), which helps keep calcium from depositing in soft tissues like blood vessel walls.
We use two complementary forms: MK-7 (menaquinone-7), which has a half-life of several days, maintaining consistent circulating levels between doses; and MK-4 (menaquinone-4), which has a shorter half-life but reaches peak tissue concentrations rapidly and is the predominant form found in certain organs, including the brain, arterial walls, and reproductive tissue.
Key Benefits of Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-4 (MK4)):
- Helps activate proteins that bind calcium, supporting strong bones.
- Plays an essential role in the body's natural blood-clotting process.
- Helps direct calcium to bones and teeth while supporting soft tissue health.
- Works alongside vitamin D3 and other fat-soluble vitamins to support structural health.
Why it Matters:
Most U.S. intake of vitamin K comes from leafy greens (K1), while vitamin K2 intake is limited and variable ¹.
Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is considered a beneficial form compared to other forms due to its longer half-life and higher bioavailability.
Citations:
1. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements (NIH ODS). Vitamin K: fact sheet for health professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-HealthProfessional
