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Professor Leon Schurgers, PhD, a globally renowned vitamin K expert and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry at CARIM, Maastricht University, shared preliminary findings from the VitaK-CAC Trial at the esteemed Linus Pauling Institute Diet and Optimum Health Conference.
Professor Leon Schurgers, PhD, a globally renowned vitamin K expert and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry at CARIM, Maastricht University, shared preliminary findings from the VitaK-CAC Trial at the esteemed Linus Pauling Institute Diet and Optimum Health Conference.
Gnosis by Lesaffre was proud to sponsor the Linus Pauling Institute “Diet and Optimum Health” conference, where new results from the VitaK-CAC study were presented.
Prof. Leon Schurgers (Maastricht University) shared compelling data showing that two years of MenaQ7® (vitamin K2 as MK-7) supplementation significantly slowed the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) compared to placebo — marking the first time a vitamin has demonstrated this effect in individuals with coronary artery disease.
These findings reinforce the important role of vitamin K2 in cardiovascular health and ageng. As the developer of MenaQ7®, Gnosis continues to invest in clinical research and scientific partnerships to advance evidence-based solutions for better vascular health.
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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.