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MenaQ7 3-year Cardio Study

menaq7-3-year-cardiovascular-study-publishes

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, The International Journal for Vascular Biology and Medicine, has approved for publication in its May 2015 print issue a new study showing the positive impact of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (menaquinone-7) on cardiovascular health through its improvement of arterial flexibility.

 

The study titled “Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Improves Arterial Stiffness in Healthy Postmenopausal Women”[1] is significant because it confirms what previous population-based studies have only been able to show an association, according to Cees Vermeer, renowned vitamin K2 scientist and Chief Innovation Officer at the R&D Group VitaK of the Maastricht University Holding (the Netherlands), who led the study’s research team.

 

“This is the first study showing that long-term use of vitamin K2 in the form of MK-7 beneficially affects cardiovascular health,” says Vermeer. “Previous population-based studies have shown an association between vitamin K2 intake and cardiovascular risk, but this is the first intervention trial focused on Vitamin K2 supplementation with cardiovascular endpoints.”

 

Researchers at the R&D Group VitaK of the Maastricht University Holding in the Netherlands monitored 244 healthy post-menopausal women for three years using pulse wave velocity and ultrasound techniques. The participants, aged 55-65 years, were randomly assigned to take 180 mcg of MenaQ7® daily for three years, or placebo capsules. Results confirmed that MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 not only inhibited age-related stiffening of the artery walls, but also made an unprecedented statistically significant improvement of vascular elasticity.

 

“Our data demonstrated that a nutritional dose of vitamin K2 in fact improves cardiovascular outcomes,” Vermeer continues.

 

This same cohort was examined for another study proving MenaQ7’s bone benefits that published in Osteoporosis International in 2013[2].

 

“Both studies are significant because they are long-term – three years of participation and then examination of the results,” said Hogne Vik, ex-NattoPharma CEO. “Observing changes in heart health, and bone health for that matter, take time. Our patience and perserverence has paid off with a study accepted by a highly prestigious medical journal that proves what we have known all along: that MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 truly delivers benefits for hearts and bones.”

 

Vitamin K2 benefits bone and heart health

 

“This cardiovascular study is significant because it shows that vitamin K2 not only benefits our bone health, but is also important to heart health,” said Dennis Goodman, MD, board-certified cardiologist and Director of Integrative Medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York. “Vitamin K2 ensures calcium binds to the bone mineral matrix and stays out of the arteries. This is important because if calcium accumulates in the arteries, it may cause blockages that can lead to serious cardiovascular events, such as heart disease and strokes.”

 

Dr. Goodman, who is completing a new book explaining the important role that vitamin K2 plays in achieving both bone and heart health, says flexibility of the arteries also has a direct connection to a person’s longevity. Calcification in the arteries has been shown to add 10 years to a person’s biological age, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (Rosenhek, et al., 2000). Another study published in the scientific journal Atherosclerosis (Shaw et al., vol. 188, 206) shows your biological age could decrease or increase by 10 years based on the level of age-related arterial calcification.

 

“This study, which is actually showing an improvement in endothelial function, has the potential to dramatically impact the way we view prevention when it comes to cardiovascular health,” Goodman adds. “Further clinical studies will be important to confirm these exciting findings.”

 

References:
1 Knapen MH et al, Braam LAJL, Drummen NE, Bekers O, Hoeks APG, Vermeer C. Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women: double-blind randomised clinical trial. Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2015 113 5: 1135-1144.

2 Knapen MH, Drummen NE, Smit E,, Vermeer C, Theuwissen E. Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2013 Sep;24(9):2499-507.

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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.