All You Should Know About The Right Vitamin K2 And Its Supplement

If you ask people about what vitamins they know, most of the respondents will only remember the most popular vitamins — A, C, E, and some of the B group. Few will remember vitamin K-2, but what role it plays in the body person, almost no one knows.

We decided to fill this gap and tell you about vitamin K-2 and its most common form, MK-7 K-2. From this article, you will learn: what kind of substance is vitamin K-2, why the body needs it, how to get it, in what cases it is recommended to take Dissolvable vitamins. So, Let’s get started.

What is Vitamin K-2?

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin K takes part in the metabolism of bone and connective tissue, is responsible for the process of blood clotting. It exists in three isoforms: Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone), Vitamin K2 (menaquinones), and vitamin K3 (menadione), which differ from each other in length and saturation of the side chain. K1 and K2 are natural forms of vitamin K, K3 is synthetic and is present only in supplements.

Vitamin K2 is represented by several chemical variants (vitamers), which are abbreviated as MK-n, where “n” indicates the number of isoprenyl units in the side chain. The most common MK in humans is short-chain MK-4, formed as a result of the transformation of K1 in MK-4.

Functions of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is necessary for the proper functioning of vitamin K-dependent proteins, of which there are about 14 in the body. These include blood clotting factors (VII, IX, X, prothrombin), protein C, a protein formed in the liver; transmembrane proteins; bone tissue proteins — osteocalcin, MGP. Vitamin K 2 plays the role of a cofactor in the carboxylation reactions of vitamin K-dependent bone proteins.

Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins

Osteocalcin is one of the most common non-collagenous bone matrix proteins. Osteocalcin is formed by osteoblasts. In the process of synthesis and secretion of the osteocalcin protein, binding to hydroxyapatite crystals occurs. The binding reaction depends on the presence of vitamin K2.

The presence of vitamin K2 ensures the activation reaction of osteocalcin and its transition to a bound form, thereby ensuring normal bone mineralization. A small part of osteocalcin enters the bloodstream, 40% of circulating osteocalcin is in an undercarboxylated form. Osteocalcin in the blood is a marker of bone tissue formation and makes it possible to indirectly judge the process of bone remodeling.

An increase in the concentration of osteocalcin indicates an increase in the rate of bone metabolism and is associated with conditions such as osteoporosis, hyperparathyroidism, chronic renal failure, diffuse toxic goiter, tumors and metastases, and rapid growth in adolescents.

Low values ​​of osteocalcin indicate a decrease in the rate of bone metabolism. Such conditions are observed in osteoporosis caused by the use of glucocorticoids, hypoparathyroidism.

Vitamin K

Vitamin K 1 and K 2 deficiency can lead to prolonged bleeding and decreased bone mineral density, as evidenced by prolongation of prothrombin time. And an increase in the proportion of undercarboxylated forms of blood osteocalcin, respectively.

Vitamin K2 and Osteoporosis

A number of cell culture studies have shown that vitamin K2 has an anabolic effect on bone tissue, stimulating osteoblast differentiation and preventing osteoclast formation. However, in human studies, things are not so clear-cut.

Less than 100 micrograms of vitamin K2 has been shown to be associated with a decrease in bone mineral density. An increase in serum undercarboxylated forms of osteocalcin correlates with the risk of hip fracture and low femoral bone mineral density in postmenopausal and premenopausal women. However, later new data began to appear showing that additional intake of vitamin K 2 does not affect bone density in men. The results of the largest and longest study using MK-4 proved that the vitamin has a positive effect only in women with advanced osteoporosis.

Another group of studies investigating the combined effects of vitamin K2 and vitamin D demonstrated the positive effects of both vitamins on bone health. The use of vitamins K 2 and D prevents bone loss and reduces the incidence of fractures in all cases.

Vitamin K2 and cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is the major cause of death in people 65 years above. Calcification of the coronary arteries is an indicator of subclinical forms of cardiovascular disease and predicts the occurrence of a heart attack, stroke in the future. Vitamin K 2 suppresses vascular calcification with the help of proteins. Activation of proteins prevents the deposition of calcium in the wall of blood vessels and cartilage.

In a large study that included 4807 patients without myocardial infarction at the initial stage, the results of vitamin K 2 intake were analyzed for 7 years. A significant reduction in the risk of coronary heart disease, all-cause mortality, and severe aortic calcification has been shown. In another large study with a follow-up period of 8 years, it was proved that an increase in K2 intake for every 10 mcg reduced coronary events by 9%.

Vitamin K and Carbohydrate Metabolism

It has been suggested that vitamin K2 supplements can improve the glycemic profile and be used at some stage in the treatment of metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus.

Medications that can deplete K2 or inhibit its absorption:

• Warfarin or coagulants
• Statins
• Broad-spectrum antibiotics-

Vitamin K2 production is also done by gut bacteria in the large intestine of the human body. And, according to some evidence that broad-spectrum antibiotics contribute to k2 deficiency.

• Cholestyramine and colestipol
• Bile acid sequestrants.
• Orlistat — It is a weight-loss drug. Its intake can reduce the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin K.

How much vitamin K2 you should take in a day?

Vitamin K2 dosage for adults

Adults can intake Vitamin K2 between 100–300mcg per day which is considered a standard dose. However, dosages up to 600mcg per day may be necessary for certain conditions.

Vitamin K2 dosage for children

Children under 12 can intake 45mcg per day as a satisfactory dose.

Vitamin K2 dosage for osteoporosis

If the person is suffering from osteoarthritis, he/she may need a dose of 200 mcg to 600mcg per day.

Important benefits of Vitamin K2 for health

Sourcing and quality of vitamin K2 supplement:

You can buy Vitamin K2 supplements from anywhere. But it is necessary that you choose a dissolvable supplement of the highest quality standards such as Frunutta’s Vitamin K2 (MK-4). Also, you should check the ingredients, source and enquire about the source of the material. If you are already suffering from health diseases or taking some medications then you should consult with a health specialist before taking any supplement.

Resource Link: https://vitaminsworld.medium.com/all-you-should-know-about-the-right-vitamin-k2-and-its-supplement-3134132dc62b