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VIT K INSUFFICIENCY LINKED TO BRAIN HEALTH: NEW PAPER

Brain from wooden puzzles. Mental Health and problems with memory.

 

New evidence draws an association between Vitamin K insufficiency and cognitive dysfunction, further argument for the potential of Vitamin K2.

 

 

MARCQ-EN-BAROEUL, FRANCE, AND EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ (26 APRIL 2022) – Frontiers in Nutrition published a new large-population cross-sectional study that demonstrated the association of vitamin K insufficiency with cognitive function. 

 

In the study, “Association of Vitamin K Insufficiency with Cognitive Dysfunction in Community-Dwelling Older Adults”[1], Japanese researchers enrolled a total of 800 community-dwelling older adults (mean age = 75.9) and conducted a geriatric health examination, including a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a blood test. Examining the concentration of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) in serum, which is a biomarker for vitamin K insufficiency, they demonstrated the association of the concentration of undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) in serum, which is a biomarker for vitamin K insufficiency, with cognitive function. By using binary logistic regression analysis, the risk of cognitive impairment equivalent or below the mild cognitive impairment level for each tertile of ucOC was examined, with the lowest tertile as the reference.  

 

The results showed a significant association of impaired cognitive function and concentration of ucOC in the highest tertile of ucOC, with the odds ratio of 1.65 (95% CI, 1.06 to 2.59, P = 0.028). When the analysis was repeated with each domain of MMSE score*, the highest tertile of ucOC was associated with impaired orientation, calculation, and language.  

 

The finding of the present study was in line with the previous epidemiological studies, showing that lower vitamin K intake is associated with cognitive impairment. The researchers reported, “As far as we know, this is the first report on the significant association of single ucOC measurement and cognitive impairment. Our analysis also suggests that vitamin K insufficiency could be associated with selected categories of cognitive function. Since the single measurement of ucOC in serum is a simple and widely available method for vitamin K evaluation, it could be useful as a biomarker of neurodegenerative diseases affecting the cognitive functions.” 

 

These results are supported by another recently published paper from Spain[2] that assessed two years of changes in dietary K intake with cognitive function measured through neuropsychological performance tests. The researchers concluded that “An increase of the intake of dietary vitamin K was associated with better cognitive function scores, independently of recognized risk factors for cognitive decline, in an older adult Mediterranean population with high cardiovascular risk.” 

 

While the Japanese study examined “vitamin K,” there are several studies that showed that MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 improved K status as measured by ucOC, and these were done in healthy adult and child populations.[3,4]  

 

“We have worked with world-renowned researchers – as NattoPharma and that work continues at Gnosis by Lesaffre – to confirm the safe and effective health benefits of MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7. Elucidating the important mechanism of activating K-dependent proteins, including osteocalcin and Matrix Gla protein (MGP), was a foundational piece of that work,” explains Dr. Hogne Vik, chief medical officer with Gnosis by Lesaffre, who referenced an important 2021 US-based review paper highlighting Vitamin K2 as a potential strategy for Alzheimer’s disease.[5] “Based on our research and the critical work that continues, we can hypothesize that K2 supplementation could prove beneficial in the brain development of children and support healthy brain function in adults.”  

 

Dr. Vik also noted that while Vitamin K2 as MK-4 has been noted as the main form of vitamin K in the brain, “it is important to mention that in-vivo research supports that supplementation with K2 as MK-7 increases MK-4 content in the brain tissue,” he concluded.  

 

# # # 

 

References: 

1 Azuma K et al. Association of Vitamin K Insufficiency With Cognitive Dysfunction in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. Front. Nutr. (2022) 8:811831. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.811831 

2 Camacho-Barcia L et al. Vitamin K dietary intake is associated with cognitive function in an older adult 

Mediterranean population. Age Ageing. 2022 Feb 2;51(2):afab246. Doi: 10.1093/ageing/afab246. 

3 Knapen MHJ et al. Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2013 Sep;24(9):2499-507. doi: 10.1007/s00198-013-2325-6. Epub 2013 Mar 23. PMID: 23525894. 

4 Theuwissen E et al. Vitamin K status in healthy volunteers. Food Funct. 2014 Feb;5(2):229-34. doi: 10.1039/c3fo60464k. PMID: 24296867. 

5 Popescu A and German M. “Vitamin K2 Holds Promise for Alzheimer’s Prevention and Treatment.” Nutrients. 2021,13,2206. 

 

 

* Explanation of MMSE: The maximum MMSE score is 30 points. A score of 20 to 24 suggests mild dementia, 13 to 20 suggests moderate dementia, and less than 12 indicates severe dementia. On average, the MMSE score of a person with Alzheimer’s declines about 2 to 4 points each year. 

 

 

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 wellbeing. The team draws on its focused research and applications capabilities to collaborate with nutraceutical and pharmaceutical brands to develop game-changing products for their customers. 

 

For more information, please contact: 

Kate Quackenbush, Communications Director, k.quackenbush@gnosis.lesaffre.com, +1 609-454-2992 x220 

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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