Study Finds Vitamin K2 MK-7 Efficacy “Essentially Equivalent” in Yogurt and Supplements

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A new study published in European Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests yogurt and soft gel capsules are both effective delivery systems for vitamin K2 as MK-7 ingredient MenaQ7, supplied by NattoPharma (Metuchen, NJ).

Researchers in The Netherlands found that adults aged 45–65 who consumed either yogurts enriched with MK-7 or soft gel capsules containing MK-7 both showed increases in plasma MK-7. In fact, the increase in plasma MK-7 was even more pronounced in the participant group consuming yogurt enriched with MK-7, vitamin D3, vitamin C, magnesium, n-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), and fish oil.

Researchers also observed a significant decrease of desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (dp-ucMGP) and uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) after consumption of both yogurt and capsule MK-7 products, suggesting a vitamin K status improvement in both treatment groups.

“This important study validates obtaining vitamin K2 from food sources is essentially equivalent to vitamin K2 delivered in supplements,” says Hogne Vik, chief medical officer, NattoPharma.

Study details

The study consisted of healthy men and postmenopausal women aged 45–65 who consumed one of three daily options for 42 days: yogurt enriched with MK-7, vitamin D3, vitamin C, magnesium, n-3 PUFA, and fish oil (yogurt Kplus); yogurt fortified with MK-7 only (yogurt K); or soft gel capsules containing only MK-7. Researchers assessed efficacy of the different delivery systems based on circulating MK-7, 25-hydroxy vitamin D, ucOC, and dc-ucMGP, as well as plasma MK-7 measured during a 2-week washout period.

Aside from the more pronounced increase in plasma MK-7 effect in the yogurt Kplus group, researchers observed “no significant differences in fasting plasma concentrations of various biomarkers between the yogurts.”

They concluded that “yogurt fortified with MK-7 is a suitable matrix to improve the nutritional status of the fat-soluble vitamins.”

 “This study further affirms that MenaQ7 is safe and effective as either a supplement or a functional food,” says Vik. “We see this as support for further exploring the use of MenaQ7 in yogurt and other dairy products so we can reach an even wider audience.”

Read more:

Vitamin K2 for Bone, Heart Health: Just the Tip of the Research Iceberg?

“Breakthrough” Vitamin K2 MK-7 Study Confirms Heart Benefits

Arterial-Health Concerns Could Get Consumers Taking Supplements, Survey Indicates

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook Magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com

References:

Knapen MH et al., “Steady-state vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) plasma concentrations after intake of dairy products and soft gel capsules,” European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Published online February 24, 2016.