What is Vitamin K2?
Vitamin K2 is a yellow powder that is widely used as a nutritional supplement, often in combination with Vitamin D3.
It was first found in fermented foods but later chemically synthesized for commercial use.
It is also the most expensive version of the Vitamin K series. (One kilo of Vitamin K1 oil 98% type in 2021 costs 2000USD, while 1 gram of 98% MK7 costs 450 USD or more)
The cheaper version of VK2 is menaquinone-4 (MK4) or Vitamin K2(20).
Speaking of the production of MK7, we must say something upfront: few vegan vitamin K2 (MK7) products were on the market before 2010. The chance that you were importing 98% pure vegan Vitamin K2 was close to zero, but it’s not now.
There is indeed vegan vitamin K2 (MK7) available in the supplement market, but it is only 98% pure, and we typically use only 1% or 5% as nutritional supplements.
Even if there is natural MK7, it cannot be extracted from plants; it must be fermented and extracted from certain germs.
Almost all MK7 on the market is chemically synthesized and not naturally extracted from plants, mushrooms, etc., just like nearly all conventional Vitamin D3 is of animal origin.
If one supplier claims that their vitamin D3 powder is vegan or extracted from plants, you must be cautious; you may be misled.
What is Vitamin K2 Used For?
Vitamin K2 is one of the most essential supplements for humans.
Though expensive, as high as 280~300 USD per gram for 98% pure powder, it is worth every penny for its essential functions in the human body.
There are many types of VK2, and according to the number of isoprenes in its structure, they are named MK2, MK4, MK7, MK8, and MK9.
As our primary product is MK7, we focus solely on its benefits.
MK7 is a naturally existing molecule; it can be extracted or chemically synthesized.
MK7(35) was first discovered during fermentation and offers numerous benefits for your daily health.
MK7 has a longer half-life than MK4, meaning you only need to take it once daily.
The research found that MK-7 can help prevent inflammation by inhibiting pro-inflammatory markers that may contribute to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Studies have also found that vitamin K1 can modestly reduce the risk of fractures, and MK-7 is more effective at reaching the bones than vitamin K1.
In your bones, vitamin K2 produces osteocalcin, which improves metabolism, hormone health, and athletic performance.
Thus, we have compiled the main benefits of VK2 below:
#1. Cardiovascular protection and cofactor for vitamin D and calcium absorption.
Calcium deposits in the arteries can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition that hardens and narrows the arteries, gradually impeding blood flow.
It is a common cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease.
Vitamin K2 is essential for activating vital proteins, such as matrix GLA protein (MGP), in the vascular system. Studies have demonstrated that K2 inhibits arterial calcification and improves arterial flexibility, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
A recent study suggested that therapeutic supplementation with vitamin K2 may prevent or stop possible vascular calcification, and other studies have demonstrated that people who consume the most vitamin K2 also have the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin K2 is also an essential cofactor for calcium and vitamin D.
While calcium is essential for strengthening bones and enhancing overall bone health, it can only work if delivered to the right place in the body.
Vitamin K2 prevents calcium from being deposited along the walls of blood vessels and directs it to the bones.
Therefore, it is essential to remember that vitamin K2 and vitamin D (which support calcium and magnesium) work synergistically for optimal bone and heart health.
Maintaining optimal levels of vitamin K2 is crucial for maximizing the benefits of oral vitamin D supplements.
Studies have shown that supplementing with both vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 is more beneficial to cardiovascular health than vitamin A alone.
#2. Vitamin K2 helps prevent osteoporosis and protects teeth
As mentioned before, vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin, a protein hormone produced by bones that requires carboxylation to function.
One of the primary roles of osteocalcin is to bind to calcium and transport it to the bone.
Osteocalcin is a tiny non-collagenous protein found in serum and synovial fluid samples from patients with osteoarthritis. Researchers believe serum osteocalcin levels may be a practical screening tool for assessing osteoporosis risk.
The role and function of vitamin K2 are also critical to oral health.
It preserves tooth enamel and prevents tooth decay.
Tooth enamel consists of hollow tubes that extend into the dentin.
While enamel comprises inactive cells, dentin contains active cells called “dentinogenic cells.”
These cells use vitamin K2 to release proteins that prevent tooth decay through an immune response.
Studies have shown that osteocalcin may be present in inflamed tissues, and researchers believe that this protein can restoratively affect the dental pulp.
#3. Vitamin K2 plays a role in reducing inflammation and promoting kidney health
The inflammatory response is a key component of many chronic and age-related diseases. Scientific evidence suggests that vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 have anti-inflammatory activity, partly due to their ability to inhibit nuclear factor κB.
For example, researchers found that vitamin K protects against chronic aging, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease.
Another study confirmed the specific role of the MK-7 form of vitamin K2 in regulating biomarkers of inflammation.
Researchers evaluated the potential of natural vitamin K2 to inhibit gene expression and the production of pro-inflammatory markers in an in vitro assay. They found that MK-7 inhibited gene expression in a dose-related manner.
Another study found a reduction in C-reactive protein, a common biomarker used to measure inflammation levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
C-reactive protein is a marker of risk for various diseases. Researchers concluded that a higher intake of vitamin K2 might reduce overall disease risk.
There is growing evidence that the role and function of vitamin K2 may have implications for chronic kidney disease.
A pre-and post-intervention clinical trial recruited participants diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and asked them to take vitamin K2 MK-7 for four consecutive weeks. The trial found a significant reduction in vascular calcification in these patients.
Increasing their intake of MK7 may also benefit patients with chronic kidney disease who have subclinical vitamin K deficiency.
Remember that vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin, so it is best to take it with a small amount of fat to promote absorption.
Eating foods rich in vitamin K2 is your best bet.
MK-4 appears in many animal foods, including eggs (especially egg yolks), dark chicken, and goose liver.
MK-7 primarily exists in fermented foods, such as natto (a fermented soybean product) and cheeses.
Why Should Vitamin K2 And Vitamin D3 Be Used Together?
The 1st benefit of Vitamin K2 is to protect your heart and promote calcium absorption.
How does it work anyway? Why is it called the cofactor of vitamin D?
Below is how!
Once you have taken vitamin D3 to strengthen your bones, it may not work as well as you planned.
Vitamin D3 can increase calcium levels in your blood, and the key to this is enhanced calcium absorption.
How can you ensure that those increased calcium levels are adequately absorbed rather than placed elsewhere, where Vitamin K2 comes in?
Without vitamin K2, high blood calcium levels accumulate in the arteries, gradually leading to heart disease.
Vitamin K2 will promote blood calcium absorption by the bones by activating specific proteins.
Vitamin K2 promotes bone and heart health by activating two proteins that balance calcium in the body.
MK-7, the superior form of K2, activates the osteocalcin proteins that incorporate calcium into bones.
Meanwhile, vitamin D3 aids in calcium absorption into the blood and is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
If you use MK7 to produce supplements, please get in touch with us directly or leave a comment below. We will respond to your inquiry within one working day.
How is Vitamin K2 Manufactured?
Vitamin K2 is a beneficial vitamin, but how is MK7 produced commercially?
Here, we provide you with a general synthesis method for all MK series.
Check the synthesis route below:
You can synthesize any MK you like using the synthesis method above and choose the right reaction conditions.
If you require further details on its synthesis, please contact us directly.
How Much Does Bulk 98% Vitamin K2 (MK7) Powder Cost?
There are two common types of VK2 on the market: 98% pure powder and other low-percentage powders mixed with excipients, such as 1%, 5%, 10%, and 20%.
When we compare the prices for pure VK1 oil and VK2 (MK-7) powder from the section above, we find that the cost of menaquinone-7 powder is exceptionally high.
If you only buy a few grams, it costs approximately 350 USD per gram.
If you increase your order to 50 or 100 grams, we can lower the unit price to 300 USD per gram.
If you are a frequent buyer and order in kilograms, we can discuss strategic partnerships, and you will receive special offers.
Anyway, MK-7 prices are not fixed and will fluctuate with the cost of raw materials.
With the increasing costs of labor, utilities, water, rent, management, etc., the price of vitamin K2 is on the rise every year.
The price ofVK22 has doubled in 10 years, increasing at a rate of 10% per year.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is intended for business-to-business communication within the pharmaceutical industry. It is not intended as medical advice. The manufacture, import, and use of API must comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the relevant country or region.
This blog post is informational only and does not constitute medical advice.
Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any new medication or treatment.
