Natural launches vitamin K2 ingredient
has launched Natto K2, a new ingredient high in vitamin K2, made
from natto, a traditional Japanese product consisting of fermented
soya beans.
Natural Inc., the US-based subsidiary of Norway's Natural group, has launched Natto K2, a new ingredient high in vitamin K2, made from natto, a traditional Japanese product consisting of fermented soya beans.
Natural said that there was extensive research supporting the benefits of natto for promoting healthy bone density and staving off osteoporosis, as well as warding off a number of other age-related diseases.
The ingredient is now being made available to dietary supplement manufacturers in the US for the first time. The active ingredients in natto are extracted via a proprietary process by a Japanese company, which then manufactures the pure natto extract ingredient. Natural has the sole rights to market this extract in North America, under its own trademark, Natto K2.
New research indicates that vitamin K can be crucial in preventing a number of age-related maladies, Natural claims. The company cited various epidemiological studies which showed a correlation between high natto consumption and a lower incidence of osteoporosis. One European study showed that a combination of vitamins K and D, along with calcium, could have a significant effect on improving bone strength.
"While calcium is an important factor in preventing osteoporosis, it is not always sufficient on its own," Natural said in a statement. "A number of western countries have a high intake of calcium from dairy sources, among others, yet they nonetheless experience many cases of osteoporosis. Vitamin K2's unique mechanism of action not only inhibits cells that break down bone tissue, but it has also been proven to stimulate cells that form bone tissue."
