Higher Nature Vitamin K2 30 Tablets

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Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone MK-7)

Vitamin K is a cofactor in the production of blood coagulation factors (in the liver), osteocalcin (in bone), and matrix Gla protein MGP (cartilage and vessel wall). Accumulating evidence suggests that for optimal bone and vascular health, relatively high intakes of vitamin K are required.
There are two main forms of vitamin K: phylloquinone, also known as phytonadione, (vitamin K1) and menaquinones (vitamins K2). K1 is found in green leafy vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and spinach, and makes up about 90 per cent of the vitamin K in a typical Western diet; while K2, which makes up about 10 per cent of Western vitamin K consumption, is found in fermented foods such as Natto. Vitamin K2 can also be synthesised in a healthy GI tract by the microflora.

• COAGULANT FACTOR - vitamin K’s primary role is in the manufacture of clotting factors including prothrombin. Excessive menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) is a common female complaint. Even when vitamin K status is normal, the use of extra (pharmacological) levels of vitamin K can prove beneficial in such complaints.

• CARDIOVASCULAR PROTECTION – Recent human research has linked the role of vitamin K deficiency to vascular calcification. Calcification results in an increase of aortic stiffness and hence contributes to systolic hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy, coronary insufficiency, ischemia and congestive heart failure. MGP is synthesized by chondrocytes in cartilage and vascular smooth muscle cells in the arteries. When this protein gets modified (carboxylated) as described for osteocalcin, it will also bind calcium. MGP will however inhibit calcium from depositing onto the arterial vessel walls, thus avoiding calcification with resulting stiffening and reduction in arterial vessel wall elasticity. A 10 year study in the Netherlands revealed that dietary intake of vitamin K2 (menaquinones), but not Vitamin K1, reduced the relative risk of coronary heart disease mortality by about 50 per cent. Aortic calcification was also reduced by 30 - 40%.

• OSTEOPOROSIS – a deficiency of vitamin K leads to impaired bone mineralisation because of inadequate osteocalcin levels. Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla protein (MGP) are the two best known and characterized calcium binding proteins. Osteocalcin is synthesized by the bone forming cells - the osteoblasts. It plays an important role in binding of calcium to hydroxyapatite – the inorganic bone material which composes about 70% of the total bone mass. The severity of fractures has been shown to correlate with circulating vitamin K levels. Vitamin K’s presence in green leafy vegetables may be one of the protective factors of a vegetarian diet against osteoporosis.

• PROSTATE PROTECTION - vitamin K2 has recently been linked to lower prostate cancer risk. An increased intake of vitamin K2 may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 35 per cent, suggest results from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). The potential benefits of K2 were more pronounced for advanced prostate cancer, while vitamin K1 intake did not offer any prostate benefits, report the researchers from the German Cancer Research Centre in Heidelberg. Researchers have suggested that ‘the beneficial effect of the long-chain menaquinones has previously been reported for cardiovascular disease; this specific form of vitamin K2 is characterized by preferential transport (via LDL) to extra-hepatic tissues (such as prostate and arterial vessel wall), and by very long half-life times (three days versus 1.5 hours) as compared to vitamin K1 and the short-chain menaquinone-4.’

Dosage
45ug per day has been shown to be effective in the studies to date. Higher doses may be beneficial under practitioner guidance.

Bioavailability – MK-7 is highly bioavailable and highly bioactive with the longest serum half life of 3 days. A long half life will result in building up a buffer of MK-7, and supplies MK-7 to all tissues
24 hours a day.

Potential applications
Vascular calcification, arteriosclerosis, hypertension associated with arterial stiffness, calcium precipitation in other tissues (e.g. arthritis with bony spurs), pregnancy, menorrhagia, osteoporosis, cellular protection – prostate. Those with a low plant food diet or with poor digestive function / gut flora imbalance are likely to benefit from increased vitamin K intake.
Vascular calcification is a common feature in patients with advanced atherosclerosis, postmenopausal women and patients with renal failure, which results in reduced elasticity of arteries.
Vitamin K is routinely administered to newborns to prevent hemorrhagic disease. This is due to the fact that the infant gut is a sterile environment.

Deficiency symptoms – when vitamin K deficiency does present itself (easy bruising, appearance of ruptured capillaries), it is usually a result of taking anticoagulant drugs such as Coumadin and Warfarin or long term antibiotics.

Known contraindications
None known.

Interactions
Vitamin K2 at levels over 45ug/day (threshold dose) may counteract the anticoagulant actions of drugs such as Warfarin, which work to prevent clot formation by blocking vitamin K’s activation of prothrombin. Aspirin, certain antibiotics and possibly high doses of vitamin E also antagonise the action of vitamin K.

Useful links – use along with vitamin D, calcium and magnesium for optimal bone health.
For optimal vascular support the following would link well – pycnogenol, flax seed oil, l-arginine, garlic, hawthorn