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MenaQ7 Vitamin K2: A Vital Supporter for Cardiovascular Health

Arterial stiffness and calcification have long been recognized as an unfortunate result of aging. But did you know that more research highlights these developments as an actively regulated process? And one nutrient plays a crucial role.     Research is building to support the case for Vitamin K2’s role in ensuring a robust cardiovascular system … Continue reading MenaQ7 Vitamin K2: A Vital Supporter for Cardiovascular Health

Arterial stiffness and calcification have long been recognized as an unfortunate result of aging. But did you know that more research highlights these developments as an actively regulated process? And one nutrient plays a crucial role.  

 

Research is building to support the case for Vitamin K2’s role in ensuring a robust cardiovascular system from an early age. The supportive balance of Vitamin K2 on heart health is via its interaction with Calcium. On one side, incoming Calcium is utilized by bones to help build and maintain a healthy bone mass. In the opposite direction, Calcium also tends to settle inside arteries and soft tissues, causing them to stiffen and impede blood flow.

 

While observational data suggest a link between Vitamin K2 intake and cardiovascular health, two groundbreaking MenaQ7 intervention trials were published (a three-year and a one-year clinical study), which evaluated the effect of nutritional doses of Vitamin K2 vs. placebo on arterial stiffness in healthy people.  

 

The groundbreaking results have spurred Vitamin K2 as a powerhouse nutrient that should play a key role in products aimed at supporting our heart health.  

 

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MenaQ7® Matrix: The Premium Vit K2 Protected by Award-Winning Technology 

Gnosis by Lesaffre proudly offers its clinically proven Vitamin K2 as MK-7, MenaQ7®, protected by its award-winning Matrix technology. Learn more in our new brochure!    Ensuring the stability of vitamin K2 compounds can be as complex as the finished product formulations that brand owners are conceiving – research shows that moisture and mineral salts … Continue reading MenaQ7® Matrix: The Premium Vit K2 Protected by Award-Winning Technology 

Gnosis by Lesaffre proudly offers its clinically proven Vitamin K2 as MK-7, MenaQ7®, protected by its award-winning Matrix technology. Learn more in our new brochure! 

 

Ensuring the stability of vitamin K2 compounds can be as complex as the finished product formulations that brand owners are conceivingresearch shows that moisture and mineral salts are critical variables for degradation, driving the need for a protective technology to shelter the menaquinone molecules during shelf life. 

 

Expertise is required to ensure the correct ingredient solution is provided depending on the final formulation and application. With more complex mineral formulations, the question is: how to protect that molecule through formulation and shelf life? 

 

To that end, Gnosis by Lesaffre introduced its enhanced vitamin K2 protective technologyVitamin K2 Matrix. This latest innovation is the result of a proprietary technology that protects the vitamin K2 as MK-7 molecule with no coating, no additives, and no additional ingredients, making it a true clean-label option, a sought-after quality for brand owners and consumers who demand to use ingredients with nutritional benefits that are as close to their natural state as possible. 

 

Gnosis by Lesaffre is now offering its premium, clinically validated MenaQ7Ò Vitamin K2 as MK-7 protected by this award-winning technology. Applying the Matrix protective technology to MenaQ7Ò ensures a smoother process for formulators to bring any product concept they can conceive to life. Still, more importantly, it ensures that consumers receive the clinically validated bone and heart benefits they rightfully expect. 

 

A key attribute of Vitamin K2 Matrix is the versatility offered to formulators. The technology supports supplements in traditional formats, such as tablets and capsules, that combine K2 in synergistic formulations with complex minerals, as well as positioning Vitamin K2 in new delivery systems such as ready-to-drink applications like protein or milk powders. Regardless of your need, Matrix provides a less cumbersome and more predictable formulation process for complex product formats. 

 

The technology is so groundbreaking that Nutrition Industry Executive recognized it with a First Place NIE Award for the Excipients/Non-Actives/Delivery Systems Category. 

 

Gnosis by Lesaffre is now offering its premium, clinically validated MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 protected by this award-winning technology. As you will read in our new brochure, applying the Matrix protective technology to MenaQ7® ensures a smoother process for formulators to bring any product concept they can conceive to life, guaranteeing consumers receive the clinically validated bone and heart benefits they rightfully expect. Together let us develop game-changing products for your consumers. 

 

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Study says MenaQ7® PURE K2 Shown to Protect Against Calcification

MenaQ7® PURE used as source material confirming K2 inhibits muscle damage from calcification.   Nutrients, an international, peer-reviewed journal for studies related to Human Nutrition, has approved for publication in September 2015 a new study showing the protective effect inhibiting muscle damage from calcification of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (menaquinone-7; MenaQ7® PURE provided by ex-NattoPharma) … Continue reading Study says MenaQ7® PURE K2 Shown to Protect Against Calcification

MenaQ7® PURE used as source material confirming K2 inhibits muscle damage from calcification.

 

Nutrients, an international, peer-reviewed journal for studies related to Human Nutrition, has approved for publication in September 2015 a new study showing the protective effect inhibiting muscle damage from calcification of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (menaquinone-7; MenaQ7® PURE provided by ex-NattoPharma) supplementation on cardiovascular calcification.

 

The study, “High-Dose Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Reduces Cardiovascular Calcification in a Murine Model of Extraosseous Calcification,” is significant because it adds to the substantial body of evidence demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of Vitamin K2 as MK-7, lending further understanding to the mechanism by which it inhibits calcification damage to cardiovascular muscle.

 

“Cardiovascular calcification is prevalent in the aging population and in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus, giving rise to substantial morbidity and mortality,” says Dr. Leon Schurgers, associate professor and senior scientist at the department of biochemistry, the Cardiovascular Research Institute CARIM of University of Maastricht (The Netherlands), and lead researcher on the study. “The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of high-dose MK-7 supplementation on the development of cardiovascular calcification and the impact on cardiovascular function in a murine model of chronic kidney disease characterized by extraosseous calcification.”

 

As it is well documented that kidney disease patients frequently suffer cardiovascular complications like calcification of the aorta and coronary arteries, the scientists applied an in-vivo rat model system for kidney disease.

 

The animals were divided into four groups: Two control groups with intact kidneys and on standard diet with respect to content of Phosphate and Calcium ± supplementation with 100µg Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (MenaQ7® PURE from ex-NattoPharma)/g; and two treatment groups where 5/6 of their kidneys were removed (mimicking kidney patients) receiving a diet with high content of both Phosphate and Calcium ± supplementation with 100µg MK-7/g.

 

After 12 weeks, the animals were examined for calcification of the aorta, the myocardium, and in kidneys, as well as for certain other changes in the tissues. Using a sensitive technique for arterial calcification (atomic absorption spectroscopy), this study shows that high-dose MK-7 inhibits calcification in aorta and in the myocardium – parts of the arterial bed most often affected in kidney patients. MK-7 also normalized the kidney disease-induced high serum phosphate level.

 

Interestingly, a 10-fold increase in matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene expression in the MK-7 supplemented animals was recorded. According to the authors, this is the first time that MK-7 has been shown to affect the synthesis of MGP in the vascular wall – and not only locally in the arterial wall. This indicates an increased amount of MGP available for activation to inhibit calcification.

 

Decreasing cardiovascular calcification and aortic alkaline phosphate tissue concentrations

 

The researchers stated that MK-7 supplementation inhibited cardiovascular calcification and decreased aortic alkaline phosphate tissue concentrations. The effect of MK-7 was – at least in part – mediated via MGP and subsequent inhibition of ectopic calcification. Since vitamin K has no reported side effects, it seems a promising therapeutic agent for CKD patients, the researchers concluded.

 

“Ex-NattoPharma has enjoyed a long-standing R&D program with the University of Maastricht and CARIM with the specific goal of understanding and validating the benefits of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for human health,” says Hogne Vik, ex-NattoPharma CEO. “This study is monumental because it shows that our MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 protected smooth muscle cells from calcification. Being able to provide the researchers with our new nature-identical MenaQ7 PURE to add to our growing body of clinical validation marks a true milestone for us.”

MenaQ7 K2 Cardio Study Registered

Greek study will use the highest dosage of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 so far, further proof of MenaQ7® K2 safety.   Oslo, Norway and East Brunswick, NJ (8 June 2021) – Ex-NattoPharma is excited to announce that a new 1.5-year clinical trial using MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The trial … Continue reading MenaQ7 K2 Cardio Study Registered

Greek study will use the highest dosage of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 so far, further proof of MenaQ7® K2 safety.

 

Oslo, Norway and East Brunswick, NJ (8 June 2021) Ex-NattoPharma is excited to announce that a new 1.5-year clinical trial using MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 has been registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. The trial will examine the cardiovascular impact in a patient population and will use the highest dosage of K2 as MK-7 to date: 1mg daily.

 

The new multi-centre, placebo-controlled, randomized, open-label intervention clinical trial, “The Effect of Vitamin K2 Supplementation on Arterial Stiffness and Cardiovascular Events in PEritonial DIAlysis (VIKIPEDIA)”, will be conducted with Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) patients. The investigators at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece will study the effect of K2 supplementation (through normalization of dp-ucMGP) on arterial stiffness and the occurrence of cardiovascular events.

 

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a state of progressive vascular calcification and cardiovascular disease. End Stage Kidney Disease patients receive renal replacement therapy either by hemodialysis or by PD, according to lead researcher Stefanos Roumeliotis , MD, PhD. “Several studies have shown that hemodialysis patients have vitamin K depletion and accelerated vascular calcification ,and this finding led to the initiation of several randomized controlled trials exploring the effect of vitamin K2 supplementation on vascular calcification in hemodialysis patients.

 

“VIKIPEDIA is the first study to assess whether high dosage of Menaquinone-7 could improve arterial stiffness, mortality, cardiovascular disease, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and dialysis efficacy in patients with PD,” he explains. “MenaQ7® was chosen to be used in the study because the compound showed its efficacy to improve vitamin K status in many clinical trials with kidney patients.”

 

At baseline, all eligible patients who have provided a written, informed consent will be enrolled in the study. Αortic stiffness and vitamin K status will be assessed by PWV and plasma dp-ucMGP levels respectively. Before randomization, the investigators will draw blood (serum and plasma) and PD fluid samples from all patients to measure blood count and routine biochemical parameters, including urea, creatinine, potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, c-reactive protein, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, parathormone, 25-OH D3, magnesium, glycated hemoglobin, thyroid function hormones. Since both vitamin D and magnesium are considered of utmost importance in vitamin K metabolism, after baseline, patients with vitamin D and/or magnesium depletion will be treated with oral supplements to achieve normal levels of both elements, before randomization. The cohort will then be categorized to one of the two groups (placebo or active group) and the treatment period will last 1.5 years. To ensure that the two parallel groups will include patients that will not differ significantly in vitamin K and stiffness, patients will be accordingly stratified. After randomization, all patients will continue their routine, standard medical treatment and patients in the treatment group will additionally receive daily, per 1 mg of vitamin K2 (MenaQ7®, ex-Nattopharma, ASA, Hovik, Norway).

 

It is important to note, according to Dr. Hogne Vik, Chief Medical Officer with ex-NattoPharma, that researchers recognized the importance of optimal level of vitamin D and magnesium to support function of vitamin K2. That is why patients deficient with vitamin D or magnesium will be treated with theses nutrients to reach normal levels before randomization.

 

“People with kidney problems exhibits low vitamin K status, which has been shown to increase cardiovascular disease as well as mortality risk,” explains Dr. Vik. “Vitamin K2 supplementation was shown to be effective to improve vitamin K status in kidney patients to some extent. However, none of these trials have been conducted in PD patients, but only in pre-dialysis CKD or haemodialysis subjects or kidney transplant patients.

 

“VIKIPEDIA represents two important firsts: it will be the first trial in PD patients, and the first time this high dosage of vitamin K2 as MK-7 will be used, which supports high safety profile of this nutrient,” adds Dr. Vik. “We are thrilled because this study will add to the already substantial evidence that MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 is an important cardiovascular-support nutrient, and it presents great hope for an at-risk patient population.”

 

The study is scheduled to start in September 2021. The researchers will collaborate with long-time ex-NattoPharma research partner Masstricht University to evaluate vitamin K status.

 

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04900610?term=peritoneal&cond=vitamin+k&draw=2&rank=1

 

About ex-NattoPharma

 

As the Vitamin K2 world leader, ex-NattoPharma’s ironclad science portfolio is the foundation for today’s understanding of K2 and is the basis for all industry claims about the benefits of K2.

 

Two things separate ex-NattoPharma from other Vitamin K2 suppliers. First, we offer the ONLY K2 as MK-7 clinically validated to deliver health benefits. With more than 20 human clinical trials where MenaQ7 K2 was the actual source material, we have demonstrated the K2 mechanism, safe and effective dosages, and the importance of K2 for bone and cardiovascular health, all while simultaneously verifying our brand’s efficacy.

 

Second, NattoPharma provides the MOST comprehensive K2 portfolio – both natural fermented and nature-identical synthesis in various dilutions and solubilities – offering solutions for brand owners to make Vitamin K2 available in a broader range of finished product dose forms. The MenaQ7® Solution Platform opens opportunities to formulate with multiple active ingredients, guided by the experts of the ex-NattoPharma R&D team.

 

A ex-NattoPharma partnership does not end once kilos are delivered. We are invested in your success and positioned to ensure you achieve it.

MenaQ7®/Omega-3 Product By Wiley’s Finest

Wiley’s Finest™ Introduces High Potency Wild Alaskan EPA/ DHA featuring MenaQ7® K2 for Adults   Ex-Nattopharma is excited to announce its visionary partner, Ohio-based Wiley’s Finest™ Wild Alaskan Fish Oil, is preparing to launch its Adult EPA and DHA Omega-3 formula featuring MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7. The Adult formula is the second product from … Continue reading MenaQ7®/Omega-3 Product By Wiley’s Finest

Wiley’s Finest™ Introduces High Potency Wild Alaskan EPA/ DHA featuring MenaQ7® K2 for Adults

 

Ex-Nattopharma is excited to announce its visionary partner, Ohio-based Wiley’s Finest™ Wild Alaskan Fish Oil, is preparing to launch its Adult EPA and DHA Omega-3 formula featuring MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7. The Adult formula is the second product from Wiley’s Finest featuring MenaQ7®.

 

The new product combines both 500mg of concentrated EPA and DHA Omega-3 from Alaska Pollock Fish Oil with a meaningful dosage of MenaQ7® K2 per serving (80mcg). Wiley’s opted for this dose after reviewing studies that showed MenaQ7® K2 delivered positive health benefits at just 45mcg per day.

 

“Playing off the fact that Vitamin K2 is both a key nutrient in this formula and the name of the second highest mountain on earth, we decided to launch this product with the campaign theme of ‘Climb the Peak of Health’. We felt it would be a fun and inspirational way to engage our valued customers and encourage them to rise to the heights of good health,” explains Wiley’s Finest™ CEO Sam Wiley.

 

Wiley’s Finest™ Adult EPA and DHA Omega-3 formula featuring MenaQ7® is the second Wiley’s product including ex-NattoPharma’s clinically validated Vitamin K2 as MK-7. At last year’s Natural Products Expo West Wiley’s launched its award-winning kids liquid formula called Beginner’s DHA. In addition to being the first commercially available formula of its type for children in the natural foods channel, it was recently cited as one of the top five nutrition trends by NUTRA-ingredients at Expo West 2016.

 

Both the child and adult formulas are designed to support bone and cardiovascular health

 

The new formula is Contents Tested and Certified by NSF International; this continues Wiley’s Finest’s commitment to exceptional quality as the only full line of Omega-3 Fish Oil supplements that are NSF certified. NSF certification ensures that products meet the dose claimed on their label and are safe from environmental contaminants. Furthermore, each Fish Oil supplement is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council to prove that the wild fish source is sustainably and responsibly caught.

 

“Wiley’s insistance on using MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7, the clinically validated and patented K2, reiterates their commitment to quality,” says Eric Anderson, senior vice president of global sales and marketing with ex-NattoPharma, the leader in vitamin K2 research and development. “By including MenaQ7® K2 again in their latest product offering, we applaud Wiley’s Finest™ for acknowledging that Vitamin K2 deficiency affects the majority of Western populations. Clinical studies show that Vitamin K2 is an under-consumed nutrient that is very difficult to obtain from diet alone. Wiley’s Finest products offer an important combination with supplemental EPA and DHA Omega-3 to support heart and circulatory health, while delivering bone support simultaneously, for young and now old.”

MenaQ7® 1-Year Cardio Study: Benefits in Men & Woman

A one-year clinical trial has just been completed showing that a daily nutritional dose of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 improved vascular health in both male and female healthy participants. This study adds support to the substantial body of evidence confirming Vitamin K2 is a cardiovascular-support nutrient.   Completed by the expert researchers at VitaK, … Continue reading MenaQ7® 1-Year Cardio Study: Benefits in Men & Woman

A one-year clinical trial has just been completed showing that a daily nutritional dose of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 improved vascular health in both male and female healthy participants. This study adds support to the substantial body of evidence confirming Vitamin K2 is a cardiovascular-support nutrient.

 

Completed by the expert researchers at VitaK, the placebo-controlled randomised clinical trial demonstrated the benefits of 180 µg/day of MK-7 (as MenaQ7® from ex-NattoPharma) on vascular health and body composition in 243 healthy subjects (77 men and 166 women) with a poor vitamin K status, as measured by dp-ucMGP (inactive Matrix Gla Protein, a marker for cardiovascular health).

 

According to the researchers, “We enrolled participants with poor K status; however, in West most are K deficient as measured by activation of K-dependent proteins.”

 

An effect on vascular health for both genders

 

In the total group, MK-7 decreased dp-ucMGP significantly compared to placebo after 1 year. The researchers conclude that 1-year supplementation of MK-7 tended to improve vascular health in men and women with a poor vitamin K status. The beneficial effect was more pronounced in post-menopausal women and in subjects with a high Stiffness Index.

 

“This study is extremely important because this is the second trial to demonstrate benefits of MenaQ7® for cardiovascular health. But where participants in our first study were healthy postmenopausal women, this is the first trial where the effects were examined in both men and women,” says Hogne Vik, ex-NattoPharma Chief Medical Officer. “In this study, the participants taking MenaQ7 maintained arterial flexibility and the stiffness did not increase, whereas placebo group became stiffer and less flexible.

 

Vik continues, “These results mirror what we have seen in epidemiological studies, where populations who consume a lot of dietary Vitamin K2 have healthier hearts and more flexible arteries.”

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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.