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IECN 2022 poster presentation highlights the non-canonical role of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 on vascular calcification, widening cardio evidence and potential sports applications. MARCQ-EN-BAROEUL, FRANCE AND EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ (29 MAR 2022) – A poster presented 25 March 2022 at the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Nutrients (IECN) detailed recent research showing that … Continue reading Vitamin K2 Impact on Oxidative Stress, ATP Production: New Evidence
IECN 2022 poster presentation highlights the non-canonical role of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 on vascular calcification, widening cardio evidence and potential sports applications.
MARCQ-EN-BAROEUL, FRANCE AND EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ (29 MAR 2022) – A poster presented 25 March 2022 at the 2nd International Electronic Conference on Nutrients (IECN) detailed recent research showing that MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 countered induced oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells, ultimately lowering oxidative stress while increasing ATP production. The global event focuses on nutrition support for immunity and countermeasure effects on infection, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
The poster, “Non-Canonical Role of MK-7 in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells” [1], was presented to the prestigious audience by PhD student Asim Cengiz Akbulut, Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, with the support of his supervisor and senior author on the abstract Prof. Leon Schurgers, Professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification and Vice-Chair of Biochemistry at CARIM, Maastricht University. Akbulut shared recent findings from a cellular study where the vitamin K pathway was antagonized by warfarin, inducing oxidative stress in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), contributing to pathological phenotype perpetuating vascular calcification and cardiovascular disease.
After introducing Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (as MenaQ7®), measurements were taken of ATP, oxidative stress, extracellular vesicles (EV). Key findings include: interference with vitamin K metabolism by warfarin results in increased intracellular oxidative stress and EV secretion, MK7 counteracts intracellular oxidative stress, both under normal conditions and warfarin-induced, and MK7 increases ATP (adenosine triphosphate) production, even in the presence of warfarin.
The authors concluded: “Our experiments show that in primary human SMCs, MK-7 lowers oxidative stress and EV release and increases ATP production. This pathway points to a non-canonical role of MK-7 in the prevention of vascular calcification, unrelated to its canonical role as cofactor for the posttranslational modification of MGP.”
Since 2004, NattoPharma (now Gnosis by Lesaffre) has worked closely with the Maastricht University in documenting the benefits of the company’s exclusive vitamin K2 as MK-7 brand MenaQ7®. These new findings are in line with previous research eliminating that vitamin K2 decreases oxidative stress[2], as well as the non-canonical role of K2 inhibiting inflammatory markers[3].
“We are incredibly encouraged by the results of this study highlighting the potential of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for healthy aging, as oxidative stress is involved in several age-related conditions, such as increased cardiovascular risk, chronic kidney conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders,” explains Hogne Vik, Gnosis by Lesaffre Chief Medical Officer. “This contributes nicely to our already substantial body of research showing MenaQ7 is a cardio-protective nutrient and reaffirms why the medical community is interested in the ongoing study of this important nutrient for the betterment of global health.
“Further, evidence showing MenaQ7 increased the production of ATP shines highlights K2 as MK-7 as a potentially essential nutrient for sports nutrition,” concludes Vik. “While it is preliminary data, we are excited about the next steps of this important research to validate the additional health benefits and applications.”
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References:
1 https://sciforum.net/paper/view/12401
2 https://www.atherosclerosis-journal.com/article/S0021-9150(19)31253-5/fulltext
3 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27200471/
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
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 … Continue reading VIT K INSUFFICIENCY LINKED TO BRAIN HEALTH: NEW PAPER
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.
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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
Literature review documents safe use and important health effects of vitamin K2 in child populations, noting consideration for pregnant and nursing women. MARCQ-EN-BAROEUL, FRANCE AND EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ (12 JANUARY 2022) – Children has published an important review paper that documents vitamin K2’s role in various physiological processes, its safe history of use, … Continue reading Vit K2 Impacts Children’s Health, Disease: New Review
Literature review documents safe use and important health effects of vitamin K2 in child populations, noting consideration for pregnant and nursing women.
MARCQ-EN-BAROEUL, FRANCE AND EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ (12 JANUARY 2022) – Children has published an important review paper that documents vitamin K2’s role in various physiological processes, its safe history of use, and that children express the greatest need for K2 supplementation.
The paper, “The Impact of Vitamin K2 (Menaquinones) in Children’s Health and Disease: A Review of the Literature “1, presents a thoughtful organization of data highlighting the differences between vitamins K1 and K2, as well as K2 as menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and as MK-7; factors contributing to the prevalence of K deficiency; and how child populations can benefit from correcting this deficiency, according to Dr. Katarzyna Maresz, president of the International Science and Health Foundation, and co-author to this paper.
“Vitamin K2 activates K-dependent proteins that support many biological functions, including bone mineralization, the inhibition of vascular stiffness, the improvement of endothelial function, the maintenance of strong teeth, brain development, joint health, and optimal body weight,” Dr. Maresz explains. “Due to the transformation of food habits in developed countries over the last five decades, vitamin K and, specifically, vitamin K2 intakes among parents and their offspring have decreased significantly, resulting in serious health implications. The therapeutics used in pediatric practice (antibiotics and glucocorticoids) are also to blame for this situation.”
Dr. Maresz teamed with a nutritionist colleague at Jagiellonian University Medical College to complete the review, in which they discuss K2 as MK-7 supplementation is worth considering for expectant mothers as a means of setting their children on the best path to health. “The lack of adverse effects of MK-7 makes it the ideal choice for supplementation by pregnant and nursing women and children, both healthy and suffering from various malabsorptions and health disorders, such as dyslipidemia, diabetes, thalassemia major (TM), cystic fibrosis (CF), inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and chronic liver diseases,” the authors write.
“As we continue our pursuit of a K2-specific Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), this review serves as a substantial argument,” says Dr. Hogne Vik, Chief Medical Officer with Gnosis by Lesaffre. “Particularly as it illustrates the overwhelming impact K2 deficiency has on child populations, and it illustrates how parents’ deficiencies feed into the state of their children’s health. We have stressed for more than a decade the impact that Vitamin K2 can have on children’s health. As thrilling as it was to see the first child-specific formulas featuring MenaQ7 K2 hit the market a few years ago, we have so much more to do to improve the health of our children.”
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Reference:
1 Kozioł-Kozakowska, A.; Maresz, K. The Impact of Vitamin K2 (Menaquionones) in Children’s Health and Diseases: A Review of the Literature. Children 2022, 9, 78. https://doi.org/10.3390/children9010078
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
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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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 conceiving – research 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 technology – Vitamin 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.
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.”