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Gnosis Expands Long-Standing Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee

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Gnosis enriches its research advisory board to reflect existing clinical partnerships exploring new indications, advancing the potential for the K2 category. 

 

Gnosis by Lesaffre, the leading K2 supplier with the most and best clinically validated Vitamin K2 as MK-7, MenaQ7®, has enjoyed long-standing relationships with the world’s most renowned researchers. Today, the company announces it is enhancing its Scientific Advisory Committee to highlight its commitment to exploring new indications while also identifying an expanding global presence of top thought leaders in biomedical research focused on Vitamin K2. 

 

The Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee plays an integral role in program conceptualization, strategic development, and scientific advisory research regarding Vitamin K2. This group of esteemed, independent experts represents diverse geographic origins, helping Gnosis to identify specific population needs across the globe, offering a wide range of expertise and unique perspectives around K2. This, in turn, will return more robust opportunities for our finished product partners to create more impactful products for the market.

 

The Committee is chaired by the undisputed expert in Vitamin K2 research, Dr. Leon Schurgers, a Full Professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification, Vice-Chair of Biochemistry at the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), and chair of the stem cell research university Maastricht (SCRUM), Maastricht University (the Netherlands). He is also scientific advisor of the steering scientific board on the worldwide quality assurance plan for vitamin K detection, a member of the scientific advisory board of the Dutch Thrombosis Society, and author of more than 240 research papers in the international scientific press. 

 

The Gnosis Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee was established based on the long-term, historical collaboration between Dr. Schurgers and Gnosis (previously NattoPharma). “No one has been a bigger proponent elucidating the benefits of vitamin K, and in particular K2 than Dr. Schurgers, as well as citing the absolute need for a K2-specific recommended daily intake (RDI),” says Jean-Francois Jeanne, Substantiation & Applications Team Manager. “Further, Gnosis has supported Research Teams worldwide, which has led to many new insights from clinical studies, including those identifying new clinical indications for K2, and combinations for K2, such as NOACs or Omega-3. This has ushered in an increased awareness of Vitamin K2’s potential grounded in science.” 

 

“The collaboration between Gnosis and our research group at Maastricht University has led to many ground- breaking studies, including two PhD students that have defended their work at Maastricht University,” Schurgers says. “Further, Gnosis (previously NattoPharma) was a partner in EU Horizon 2020 innovative training programs, in which Maastricht University was beneficiary or coordinator. This clearly shows the scientific commitment of Gnosis.” 

 

The Members of the Committee include:

 

• Hogne Vik, MD, PhD, MBA: A physician by education, Dr. Vik has served as a clinician, researcher, and Professor in Medicine at the University of Bergen, Norway. He is the author of more than 100 international research papers and has the last 25 years especially been interested in exploring health benefits associated with regular intake of vitamin K2 and omega-3 fatty acids. He has a successful scientific and commercial track record around these substances both within the pharmaceutical and dietary supplement industries. As previous CEO and Chief Medical Officer with NattoPharma ASA, he now serves as a medical and scientific advisor at Gnosis by Lesaffre.

 

• Katarzyna Maresz, PhD: Vitamin K2 scientific expert, Dr. Maresz is the former President of the International Science and Health Foundation, an independent research consortium dedicated to educating about the clinically validated benefits of nutrients, and the former Scientific Coordinator of the educational portal VitaminK2.org. She has published more than 30 scientific papers and is involved in Vitamin K2 clinical trials worldwide, cooperating with many research centers regarding the health effects and mechanism of action of Vitamin K2. 

 

“I am honored to be invited into the Gnosis by Lesaffre Vitamin K2 Scientific Committee and look very much forward to continuing the scientific collaboration with Leon Schurgers and Katarzyna Maresz,” says Dr. Vik. “An assessment of available new biological data and documented clinical health benefits for vitamin K2 are, in my opinion, the best way to collect and communicate trustful information that will help people to understand why a regular intake of this vitamin is beneficial for health and quality of life.”

 

Gnosis by Lesaffre looks forward to announcing additional members in the immediate future. The group will be enlarged by those who have been collaborating with Gnosis for many years as well as new research partners to provide more visibility and ignite the passion for Vitamin K2.

 

“As the leader in the Vitamin K2 category, it is essential that we continue to drive the discovery of new indications and understanding, for benefit of our partners making the products that will shape a healthier global population,” says Marc Philouze, Gnosis by Lesaffre General Manager. “Our Scientific Advisory Committee has been at the forefront of that discovery, and their input will be essential to feed and continue in the delivery of the highest quality in science proposed by more than 70 Research & Application scientists working at Gnosis. It is our honor and obligation to enhance their potential for success.”

 

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About Gnosis by Lesaffre

Gnosis by Lesaffre harnesses the power of microorganisms and biotransformation processes like fermentation to cultivate nutritional actives, probiotics, and nutritional and functional yeasts that benefit human health and well-being. The team draws on its focused research and application capabilities to collaborate with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical brands to develop game-changing products for their customers.

About Lesaffre

 

A key global player in fermentation for more than a century, Lesaffre, with a 2.2 billion euro turnover, and established on all continents, counts 10,700 employees and more than 70 nationalities. On the strength of this experience and diversity, we work with customers, partners, and researchers to find ever more relevant answers to the needs of food, health, naturalness, and respect for our environment. Thus, every day, we explore and reveal the infinite potential of microorganisms. To nourish 10 billion people, in a healthy way, in 2050 by making the most of our planet’s resources is a major and unprecedented issue. We believe fermentation is one of the most promising answers to this challenge.  

 

Lesaffre – Working together to better nourish and protect the planet. 

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MenaQ7 study with children

45 mcg per day of vitamin K2 was shown to support the needs of healthy bones in children

Growing Strong Bones

Childhood is the most essential period for developing and building healthy bone mass.
However, research shows children have 8 to 10 times higher levels of inactive osteocalcin, which means they are not optimally building the bone mass they require during this period.[3]

In turn, today we see an increase in low-energy fractures in children. Thankfully there is a way to mitigate this situation.

Studies show that children who have optimal levels of Vitamins K2 and D3 have fewer bone fractures than children with lower status of these two vitamins. [4,5]

MenaQ7® is the only Vitamin K2 on the market proven to benefit bone health in children.

[3] Theuwissen E et al. Food & Function. 2013;5(2):229-34
[4] Popko J et al. Nutrients. 2018 Jun 6;10(6):734.
[5] Karpiński M et al. J Am Coll Nutr. 2017 Jan;36(1):64-71

MenaQ7® study show

180 mcg per day of vitamin K2 maintain bone health in postmenopausal women

Well-Being in Times of Change

It is well recognized that women approaching and going through menopause are prone to develop weaker bones.

During this period, hormonal changes lower oestrogen levels, leading to bone loss and increased fracture risk.

Compromised bone health is estimated to affect 200 million women worldwide. Supporting bone health in women during this period of life is growing in importance, particularly as an ageing population seeks to maintain their quality of life.

The combination of Vitamins K2 and D3 is shown to have a more beneficial effect on this demographic’s bone strength than either vitamin taken alone.[5]

MenaQ7® is the only clinically proven K2 to deliver on the promise of maintaining bone health in postmenopausal women.[2]

[5] Ushiroyama T et al. Maturitas. 202 Mar 25;41(3):211-21.
[2] Knapen MHJ et al. Osteoporos Int. 2013 Sep;24(9):2499-507.

Supporting Mothers for Healthy Babies

Pregnancy is a time of extraordinary change and the WHO estimates 20-30% of pregnant women suffer from some kind of vitamin deficiency. Post-natal supplements are important for many women during this period of their lives to ensure not only their health, but their babies as well.

In particular, pregnant women are advised to increase their calcium levels to support the growing babies’ bone and teeth – and to maintain the mothers own bone mass, which is depleted during pregnancy and nursing.

Research shows that women's bone metabolic status significantly changes over the period between pregnancy and during nursing [6], and as much as 50% of newborns are K deficient. Incorporating Vitamins K2 with D3 in post-natal supplements would benefit both mother and child through their combined optimization of calcium.

[6] Miyamoto T et al. Sci Rep. 2019 May 13;9(1):6787.

MenaQ7® study show

180 mcg per day is beneficial for bone and cardiovascular health.

Do What You Love Longer!

Calcification is believed to be an inevitable and unfortunate result of aging, but studies show that arterial calcification is, in fact, an actively regulated process where Vitamins K2 and D3 play a critical role.

In 2020 the ageing population (people over the age of 65) grew to approximately 727 million. Supporting bone and heart health is vitalto ensure quality of life as we age.

A 2013 study [8] evaluating the cardiovascular effect of Vitamin K2 (MenaQ7®) plus Vitamin D or Vitamin D alone showed more beneficial results when the two nutrients were combined than when D was taken alone.

MenaQ7® is the only clinically Vitamin K2 as MK-7 proven to reduce arterial stiffness in adult populations.[9]

[8] Kurnatowska I et al. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2015;125(9):631-40.
[9] Knapen MHJ et al. Thromb and Haemost. 2015 May;113(5):1135-44.

 

Active Lifestylers

The bone and joint market is still expected to be driven by aging populations, but trends like Healthy Aging and Fitter for Longer open the market for younger demographics. Since 2000, views have drastically evolved about the importance of staying active and the role bone/joint health plays in one’s ability to do so.

Bone fractures are an obvious hindrance to staying active. In fact, every 3rd woman and every 5th man over the age of 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures. It is also worth noting that young female athletes have higher fracture risks than male counterparts.

Knowing the intricate balance between Vitamins D3 and K2, and its combined benefits for bone and heart health, a product that aims to support active lifestylers should incorporate both.

Start supercharging your D3 here