Requirements
Postulate: The Majority of Healthy People are Vitamin K2 Deficient
Current daily recommendations for K vitamins are based exclusively on Vitamin K1 and the requirement for proper blood clotting11. Presently it is set to be 1 mcg vitamin K1 per kg of body weight (daily). This amount of Vitamin K1 seems now not sufficient for the optimal function of vitamin K-dependent proteins in other tissues like bone and vasculature. Since vitamin K1 has a short half life time the recommended doses do not seem to reach these peripheral tissues. Published studies show that the majority of both children and adults are vitamin K deficient. 12, 13
It has long been believed that vitamin K deficiency is rare due to dietary intake and contribution from microbial biosynthesis in the gut. However, dietary intake data from the 1950s and early 2000 in the UK show that consumption and absorption of vitamin K is now lower than it used to be probably as a consequence of change in diets. Further, the importance of the gut microbial vitamin K contribution is scientifically disputable as biosynthesis occurs in lower parts of the intestines whereas absorption occurs in upper parts. The bacteria mainly produce the very long chained menaquinones MK10, 11, 12 and 13 (though also some MK7 to 9). It is still questionable if, and to what extent vitamin K is absorbed. Some studies show that there is absorption14, 15, some studies show that there is some absorption - but insufficient16 whereas others still question the contribution of menaquinones produced by intestinal bacteria.
Published studies strongly indicate that better vitamin K2 status contributes to the achievement of non-calcified, flexible arteries and strong, healthy bones.
For more detailed information about the requirement for bones and cardiovascular health, please see following subpages: