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K-dependent proteins in the body need to be activated in order to function.
Vitamin K1 is known for its blood-clotting activity. Vitamin K2 also contributes to this process, but Vitamin K2 is now recognized as essential for helping the body to properly utilize calcium in order to build healthy, strong bones and to stop calcium from depositing in the arteries and blood vessels.
Vitamin K2 “makes calcium work” through its ability to activate certain K-dependent proteins already present in the body:
- Osteocalcin is the protein responsible for binding calcium ions to the matrix of bone, making bones stronger.
- Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) is the most potent modulator of arterial calcification known today, and the amount of arterial calcification is an indicator of one’s cardiovascular health.
Natural vitamin K2 as MK-7 is the essential cofactor for the enzyme γ-carboxylase which is able to carboxylate these calcium-regulating proteins making them able to form calcium-binding groups essential for their biological activity. By controlling these proteins in vascular tissue, vitamin K2 keeps calcium out of the arteries and drive it to bones.
Research has found that osteocalcin was undercarboxylated by 40% in postmenopausal women when compared with premenopausal women. Uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein is associated with the increased vascular calcification and cardiovascular disease.
When the body has sufficient Vitamin K2, calcium is directed to where it is needed, and kept away from where it is not.
Vitamin K deficiency results in impaired bone strength and mineral density.
Calcification increases vessels’ stiffness and fragility, impeding healthy blood flow to and from the heart.
However, inadequate Vitamin K2 may result in what is known as the “Calcium Paradox.” This is where the bones receive too little calcium (leaving them weak and brittle) as excess calcium deposits in the arteries and blood vessels (making them stiff and inelastic).
Vitamin K2 is the powerful component in transporting “excess” calcium out of the arteries and blood and depositing it into our bones.
The link between Calcium, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K2
While Vitamin K2 as MK-7 is essential for activating calcium-binding proteins, Vitamin D3 plays a vital Role in synthesizing these proteins and aiding with calcium absorption.
The two most important forms found in food are vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone).
K vitamins are a group of fat-soluble vitamins. The two most important forms found in food are vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone). Vitamin K1 is known for its role in blood coagulation (clotting). Vitamin K2 also contributes to coagulation, but more importantly, it is a form newly recognized for its essential role in building and maintaining strong bones, as well as inhibiting calcium deposits in the arteries and blood vessels.
Supplemental Vitamin K2 exists in several forms, but the most common ones are the synthetic menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and the natural menaquinone-7 (MK-7).
MK-7 is the superior form of vitamin K
All K vitamins are similar in structure, but differ in the length of the “side chain” – the longer the side chain, the better effect and efficiency. Consequently, the long-chain menaquinones (especially MK-7) are the most desirable as they are nearly completely absorbed (body requires smaller doses) and stay in the blood for the longest time. This makes Vitamin K2 also available for tissues outside the liver, namely bones, arteries, and soft tissues.
In fact, studies consistently show that Vitamin K2 as MK-7 is much more effective compared to MK-4. This is mainly due to MK-7’s significantly greater:
- Absorption & Half-Life Time
- Accumulation in the Serum
- Efficacy
Absorption & Half-Life Time
Both Vitamin K2 as MK-4 and MK-7 are nearly completely absorbed, with peak serum concentration at 2 hours for MK-4 and 4 hours for MK-7 after intake. However, MK-4 quickly disappears from the circulation, whereas MK-7 is capable of accumulating in the bloodstream (remaining in the body for approximately 72 hours). Therefore, supplementation with MK-7 only needs to be taken once a day and is a more convenient option.
Accumulation in the Serum
The long half-life of MK-7 results in significantly better accumulation compared to MK-4. Research shows that MK-7 has better absorption. Hence, smaller quantities and less frequent intakes of MK-7 are sufficient to supply all of the tissues.
Efficacy
45mcg/daily of MK-7 is proven to be sufficient in order to increase the carboxylation process and the activation of vitamin K-dependent proteins such as Osteocalcin for bone health and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) for heart health.
