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At the recent IUNS International Congress of Nutrition, discussions on the future of Vitamin K2 research featured Prof. Leon Schurgers, a respected expert, long-standing collaborator, and chairman of the Gnosis K2 Scientific Advisory Committee. His leadership within the ILSI Europe Task Force reinforces Gnosis by Lesaffre’s commitment to supporting innovation and scientific progress for this essential nutrient.
At the recent IUNS International Congress of Nutrition, discussions on the future of Vitamin K2 research featured Prof. Leon Schurgers, a respected expert, long-standing collaborator, and chairman of the Gnosis K2 Scientific Advisory Committee. His leadership within the ILSI Europe Task Force reinforces Gnosis by Lesaffre’s commitment to supporting innovation and scientific progress for this essential nutrient.
About ILSI Europe
ILSI Europe is the European branch of the International LifeSciences Institute (ILSI), a global, non-profit organization that brings together scientists from academia, public institutions, and industry to address key issues in nutrition, food safety, and health. Through collaborative task forces, ILSI creates a neutral platform to review science, identify research priorities, and build consensus on emerging health topics.
Vitamin K2: From Known Benefits to New Horizons
Vitamin K2 is well recognized for its established roles in blood coagulation, cardiovascular, and bone health. Science has demonstrated that the MK-7 form of K2 shows the best bioavailability and longest half-life among all K vitamins. Research is now expanding beyond bone and cardiovascular health, including blood glucose control, cognitive health, and even nerve and muscle health.
The ILSI Roadmap for Vitamin K2
Since its 2013 review of menaquinones, ILSI Europe has highlighted the need to explore the broader health implications of Vitamin K2. To address this, the group launched a new Task Force on Vitamin K2. The outcomes of this Task Force’s activities are expected to provide updated assessments of the health benefits of different forms of Vitamin K2 to the scientific, industrial, and public communities. Furthermore, the estimation of healthcare cost savings resulting from adequate Vitamin K2 intakes will offer valuable guidance to clinicians and public health organizations.
Our Commitment
As one of the industry leaders in Vitamin K2, Gnosis by Lesaffre is proud to be actively involved in this initiative. By engaging with ILSI’s extraordinary expert group, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing science, building credibility for K2, and shaping the future of nutrition on a global scale.
Do you need more information about Vitamin K2 or have any outstanding questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us; our expert team will happily answer!
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From August 25 to 27, 2025, Gnosis by Lesaffre showcased its advancements in nutrition science at the 8th International Vitamin Conference in Munich, Germany. Rudolf Bittner, PhD student under the guidance of Prof. Leon Schurgers from Maastricht University and supported by Gnosis, presented new findings on the role of Vitamin K2 (MK-7, MenaQ7®) in body composition, reinforcing the company’s commitment to scientific progress.
From August 25 to 27, 2025, Gnosis by Lesaffre showcased its advancements in nutrition science at the 8th International Vitamin Conference in Munich, Germany. Rudolf Bittner, PhD student under the guidance of Prof. Leon Schurgers from Maastricht University and supported by Gnosis, presented new findings on the role of Vitamin K2 (MK-7, MenaQ7®) in body composition, reinforcing the company’s commitment to scientific progress.
Based on post-hoc analyses from a MenaQ7® one-year clinical study, Bittner’s presentation explored sex-specific effects of Vitamin K2 supplementation on weight and adiposity markers. The results revealed that low vitamin K status (higher dp-ucMGP) correlated with higher body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and visceral fat—suggesting that individuals with higher BMIs often have poorer vitamin K status and that their usual intake may be insufficient to meet their extrahepatic needs.
Notably, the study showed that women experienced improvements in body weight, fat mass, and Vitamin K status with MK-7 supplementation, while men may require higher doses to achieve similar benefits. These findings reinforce the need for a personalized approach in nutrition and highlight vitamin K2 as a promising ally in weight management strategies.
This new data complements our previous clinical research, which showed that Vitamin K2 intake could reduce body weight and visceral fat in good responders. By supporting young researchers and fostering industrial PhD programs, Gnosis by Lesaffre continues to drive scientific discoveries and reaffirm its role as a leader in clinical evaluation and innovator in exploring new applications for Vitamin K2.
Do you need more information about Vitamin K2 or have any outstanding questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us; our expert team will happily answer!
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Back-to-school season is here! Parents are busy with backpacks and lunch boxes. This time of year is perfect to think about what helps children grow. Many parents track height on doorframes. Now it’s time to understand what fuels those growth spurts. Good nutrition is just as important as school supplies.
Back-to-school season is here! Parents are busy with backpacks and lunch boxes. This time of year is perfect to think about what helps children grow. Many parents track height on doorframes. Now it’s time to understand what fuels those growth spurts. Good nutrition is just as important as school supplies.
A child’s final height comes from both genes and environment. About 20% of height differences come from environmental factors, mainly nutrition. For proper bone growth and development, children need calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin K.
Most parents know about vitamin D’s importance for children’s growth. New research shows that lacking vitamin K2 can also impact height development, increasing the risk of shorter stature by over 50%.
Vitamin D for Growing Bones
Vitamin D helps children absorb calcium for healthy bones. Without enough vitamin D, bones may not grow properly, leading to shorter height.
Studies show higher vitamin D levels link to better growth rates. Each small increase improves yearly height growth. Children with very low levels grew about half a centimeter less per year compared to those with healthy levels.
Vitamin K2: The Overlooked Growth Nutrient
Vitamin K2 plays an equally important role in children’s growth and development. It activates a protein called osteocalcin that binds calcium to bones, making them stronger.
The MK-7 form of vitamin K2 works best because it stays in the body longer. Children with better vitamin K levels show more bone growth during key development periods.
During puberty, children grow taller and bones become denser. Vitamin K2 improves bone density and helps build collagen, which forms the framework for growing bones.
A recent study compared vitamin K2 levels in children of normal height versus shorter children. Results showed shorter children had much lower K2 levels. Between ages 2 and 15, K2 levels often decrease, affecting growth and development.
Children need more vitamin K2 than adults because their bones grow rapidly. Unfortunately, modern diets contain less K2 than in the past, putting today’s children at risk for deficiency during critical growth years.
Better Together: Vitamins D and K2 Work as a Team
Vitamins D and K2 work together to support children’s growth. Vitamin D brings calcium into the body, while K2 directs calcium to bones instead of soft tissues where it doesn’t belong.
This teamwork matters most during growth spurts when children rapidly build bone. Without enough of both vitamins, even with adequate calcium intake, a child may not reach full growth potential.
Supporting Optimal Growth and Development
Children need both K2 and D to reach their full height potential. Research confirms children lacking K2 are more likely to experience growth problems.
For parents concerned about children’s growth and development, both vitamins matter—not just calcium and vitamin D. They support healthy bone formation and optimal height development throughout childhood and adolescence.
While genetics plays the main role in determining height, good nutrition helps children reach their full potential. Vitamins D and K2 support bone development that determines a child’s final height.
As our understanding of nutrition grows, these often-overlooked vitamins become increasingly important. Ensuring children get enough of both vitamins may be one of the best strategies for supporting healthy growth and development in children during the school year and beyond.
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As the summer sun shines brightly, it’s the perfect time to spotlight an often-overlooked nutrient: Vitamin K2. This essential menaquinone is crucial in maintaining strong bones and a healthy cardiovascular system, making it a must-have for overall well-being.
As the summer sun shines brightly, it’s the perfect time to spotlight an often-overlooked nutrient: Vitamin K2. This essential menaquinone is crucial in maintaining strong bones and a healthy cardiovascular system, making it a must-have for overall well-being.
Bone-Boosting Vitamin K2 Benefits
Vitamin K2 is a game-changer when it comes to bone health. Research shows that this nutrient helps direct calcium into the bones where needed, rather than allowing it to accumulate in the arteries. By improving calcium absorption, this vitamin supports the mineralization of bone, reducing the risk of compromised bone health. Getting enough Vitamin K2 can help you build and maintain strong, dense bones, whether young or old.
Protecting Your Heart with Vitamin K2
In addition to its bone-strengthening effects, Vitamin K2 offers impressive cardiovascular benefits. Studies indicate that higher Vitamin K2 intake is associated with a lower risk of heart disease and stroke. This is because Vitamin K2 activates proteins that help stop the buildup of calcium in the arteries, limiting the progression of atherosclerosis. By keeping your arteries clear and flexible, Vitamin K2 supports overall heart health.
Supplementing with Vitamin K2
While there are certain Vitamin K2 food sources like cheese, egg yolks, and natto, getting optimal amounts from diet alone can be challenging. That’s where supplements come in. MenaQ7® is a clinically-studied, highly bioavailable form of K2 that can help fill the gap. By incorporating a high-quality Vitamin K2 supplement like MenaQ7® into your routine, you can give your bones and heart the support they need to thrive.
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Indonesia has made a landmark move by approving the country’s first-ever functional health claim for vitamin K, encompassing both K1 and K2. This approval officially recognizes the role of vitamin K in supporting bone health, setting a new precedent in Southeast Asia’s regulatory landscape.
Indonesia has made a landmark move by approving the country’s first-ever functional health claim for vitamin K, encompassing both K1 and K2. This approval officially recognizes the role of vitamin K in supporting bone health, setting a new precedent in Southeast Asia’s regulatory landscape.
The successful outcome was the result of a strategic initiative led by PT Signa, in close collaboration with Gnosis by Lesaffre. The news has been publicly shared on BPOM’s platform and is expected to accelerate the integration of functional health ingredients into the region’s food and supplement industries.
An Achievement Fueled by Collaboration and Expertise
This milestone showcases the value of coordinated scientific advocacy and regulatory engagement. The Gnosis team—especially Tan Wen Yan (regulatory), Dr Katarzyna Maresz (scientific), and George Andrianus (commercial)—played an instrumental role in supporting the process from the early stages in 2023. Their work underscores how shared commitment and cross-functional teamwork can help unlock new opportunities for health-promoting ingredients. As stated by Wen Yan from the regulatory team, “This is an achievement not just for our distributor, but for all of us,” reflecting the collective effort that made this success possible.
Science at the Core of Our Mission
Gnosis remains deeply committed to advancing human health through science and innovation. The company’s long-standing focus on clinical research, such as the widely recognized MenaQ7® study demonstrating bone health benefits at nutritional doses, is a testament to that commitment. This new regulatory recognition aligns perfectly with Gnosis’s mission to bring scientifically proven, effective ingredients to markets around the world. As we continue to work alongside industry partners and regulatory authorities, Gnosis will remain at the forefront of driving innovation that supports healthier lives and communities.