Vitamin K2

ILSI brings together industry giants in vitamin K2 task force

06-Mar-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Europe has announced a new Vitamin K2 task force, designated to advance the scientific understanding of the health benefits of Vitamin K2 and provide evidence-based insights to enhance public awareness.

MenaQ7 Vitamin K may offer heart protection in menopausal women

05-Sep-2023 By Olivia Brown

In soon-to-be published research by Gnosis by Lesaffre, new findings suggest that daily intakes of MenaQ7 vitamin K supplement may improve blood vessel elasticity and regulate blood pressure in menopausal women with arterial stiffness.

RCT suggests vitamin K benefits to arterial stiffness dependant on glucose levels

26-May-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new RCT highlights that following supplementation with vitamin K2 (MK-7) in patients with haemodialysis (HD), there were decreases in measures of arterial stiffness which were more pronounced in those with diabetes, compared to those receiving standard...

Pilot study suggests vitamin K2 supplement surpasses diet in ability to reduce deficiency

31-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A pilot study involving 12 patients with chronic kidney disease suggests supplementation surpasses a vitamin-rich diet in improving vit K levels in individuals who are susceptible to deficiency.

Novozymes OneHealth to highlight vitamin K2 for nerve health

22-Feb-2023 By Asia Sherman

Novozymes OneHealth will showcase the science supporting the nerve health benefits of its MenaquinGold vitamin K2-7 at the upcoming Expo West trade show in Anaheim, CA on March 9-11.

Novozymes OneHealth launches in the US with suite of ingredients

19-Oct-2022 By Stephen Daniells

Denmark’s Novozymes is bringing its human health growth platform Novozymes OneHealth to the US market, offering a range of clinically supported ingredients developed in response to “profound health challenges related to modern lifestyles”.

Balchem agrees to acquire vitamin K2 player Kappa Bioscience

14-Jun-2022 By Stephen Daniells

New York-based Balchem Corporation has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Norwegian Vitamin K2 supplier Kappa Bioscience AS for approximately US$340 million.

Low vitamin K linked to cognitive impairment in elderly cohort

29-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new study has linked low Vitamin K status to cognitive impairment among subjects housed in elder care facilities.

War of words erupts over IP cited in new vitamin K2 launch

11-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

The launch of a new vitamin K2 has inflamed a war of words over IP ownership, with each side claiming the high ground in the debate.

Indian vitamin K2 supplier to fly own flag in US market

07-Feb-2022 By Hank Schultz

Indian ingredient manufacturer Synergia is stepping out from its longtime back channel supply relationships to sell fermentation-derived vitamin K2 directly to the US market.

Study makes case for K2 supplementation for children

12-Jan-2022 By Hank Schultz

A new review paper lays out the need for adequate vitamin K2 levels in children. Deficiency is associated with a range of issues including a predisposition toward cardiovascular disease and poor bone health.

Gnosis addresses nagging formulation issues with ‘matrix’ version of K2 ingredient

09-Dec-2021 By Hank Schultz

Along with developing the science and marketing story behind an ingredient, suppliers also need to ensure those ingredients are easy to work with. A prominent vitamin K2 supplier says it has done just that with a new, stability-enhanced version of...

K2 research has hit critical mass, supplier says

12-Nov-2021 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin K2 is read to take its place among the dietary ingredients best supported by clinical research, a prominent supplier says.

Study: Vit K2 could reduce heart health risk in nicotine users

28-Jul-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

NattoPharma's research partner has published a study suggesting Vitamin K2 reduces the risk of cadiovascular events in people who smoke, as it decreases oxidative stress and vascular calcification.

Vitamin K2’s growing awareness for immune, bone, and cardiovascular health

26-Jul-2021 By Emily Jarecki

NattoPharma’s sales of vitamin K2 increased by over 60% in the last year, with combination formulas featuring vitamins K2 and D3 the strongest, says the vitamin K2 supplier.

NutraCast: Dr. Andrew Myers, CEO and Chief Science Officer of NutraGenetics

14-May-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Overcoming micronutrient deficiencies could become part of an effective strategy in the fight against COVID-19. While vitamin D supplementation has gained wide attention amid the pandemic, in the shadows is a lesser known but equally important nutrient:...

Study signals need for vitamin k2 with statin use, says firm

08-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Norway-based vitamin K2 supplier NattoPharma has highlighted new evidence connecting statin use to increased cardiovascular risk which it says further proves the need for Vitamin K2 supplementation in these patients.

Danish population study further bolsters case for vitamin K2

19-Aug-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new study on cardiovascular health using a protein as a biomarker has bolstered the evidence backing the notion that the benefits of vitamin K2 are so important that the substance should have its own RDI, a Norwegian supplier says.

Review paper makes strong case for new RDI for vitamin K2

30-Jun-2020 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin K2 has vital functions beyond vitamin K1 and should be considered for its own RDI, researchers argued in a review paper published recently.

Study emphasises importance of differentiating between vitamin K1 and K2

01-Jun-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Intake of vitamin K2 is linked with a lower risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), but K1 is not, according to a newly published observational study.

From the Editor's Desk

Supplement industry can help consumers change their health regimens after the crisis

01-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

Given the current torrid pace of sales for some categories, the dietary supplement industry could emerge from the present crisis is a significantly strengthened position. Even categories that are in the doldrums stand to benefit.

Preliminary research links low vitamin K status to worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients

28-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

COVID-19 patients with low vitamin K status tend to have worse outcomes, according to preliminary results of a study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands.

Nattopharma builds case for RDI for vitamin K2

09-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Norwegian supplier Nattopharma is helping to build a suite of scientific evidence on the broad cardiovascular health effects of Vitamin K2 that the company hopes will support an official recommendation on intakes of the substance.

Consumer Reports calls attention to the importance of vitamin K

06-Dec-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Many people – and older men in particular – are not getting enough vitamin K, says a new article by Consumer Reports that draws attention to the benefits of the vitamin.

Paper in prestigious journal underpins vitamin K2's role in cardiovascular health, supplier says

08-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

A recent review paper funded by a Norwegian research grant reinforces the developing story that vitamin K2 is important for cardiovascular health as well as bone health.

Vitamin K, known for its arterial health benefits, may benefit the eyes as well

14-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

New research on vitamin K suggests that it may promote eye health, thanks to the vitamin’s link to active matrix Gla protein, or MGP, an inhibitor of calcification in large arteries.

Aortic stiffness linked to dementia. Can vitamin K2 help reduce the risk?

11-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Researchers found that individuals with arterial stiffening have increased risk of dementia, paving a way to market vitamin K2 in the brain health space—an area in which K2 was not previously considered, according to one supplier.

NEWS IN BRIEF

XSTO Solutions launches branded vitamin K ingredient K2Quest

19-Sep-2018 By Adi Menayang

New Jersey-based ingredient supplier XSTO Solutions launched a branded form of vitamin K2-MK7 called K2Quest.

UNPA signs memoranda of understanding with three new single-ingredient trade groups

02-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

The United Natural Products Alliance, a trade association for the dietary supplement industry, has signed memoranda of understanding agreements with three single-ingredient associations and their administrative umbrella, the Trust Transparency Center.

NattoPharma builds patent portfolio for MenaQ7 ingredient

09-Nov-2017 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin K2 supplier NattoPharma ASA has announced three new process patents for its MenaQ7 ingredient in the US, Australia and Israel.

NattoPharma debuts 'full-spectrum' form of vitamin K2 to mimic what's found in cheese

22-Sep-2017 By Hank Schultz

Norwegian company NattoPharma will debut a form of Vitamin K2 that includes more of the menaquinone forms found in natural fermented cheese.

Review: Co-supplementation of vitamins D, K may lead to stronger bones in children

08-Sep-2017 By Adi Menayang

There has been a ‘disturbing growth’ in the incidence of low-energy bone fractures in healthy children and adolescents, a group of researchers wrote in a new review, arguing that insufficiency of vitamin D, vitamin K, and calcium are among leading considerations.

Vitamin K2 may reverse calcification of blood vessels in people with kidney disease

23-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Four-week supplementation with vitamin K2 MK-7 (menaquinone-7) significantly improves vascular calcification (VC), according to a new study published in BMC Nephrology. 

K for kids: Low vitamin K2 levels may boost fracture risk

15-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Children with low levels of vitamin K2 are at an increased risk of fractures, and small changes in vitamin K status can have a big effects on bone health, says a new study from Poland.

EU grant to drive more research into increasingly 'omnipotent' Vitamin K2

08-Feb-2017 By Hank Schultz

It’s fitting that a relatively new institution—Maastricht University—is helping to drive research into the evolving benefits of a ‘new’ vitamin, Vitamin K2. That research will be buoyed by a multi-center EU grant announced today.

New studies show importance of vitamin K for vascular function

06-Jan-2017 By Stephen Daniells

A lack of an active vitamin K- dependent protein may increase the risk of arterial calcification and stiffness, say two new studies that support the potential heart health benefits of vitamin K.

Study supports vitamin K2 (but not K1) for heart health

22-Sep-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of long-chain menaquinones (vitamin K2) may reduce the risk of mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD), according to data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-NL) cohort.

Nattopharma gets US patent on arterial benefits of MenaQ7

14-Jun-2016 By Hank Schultz

Norwegian vitamin K2 supplier Nattopharma has been awarded a US patent for its ingredient’s benefits in age-related hardening of the arteries.

Cellular data: Study suggests role for vitamin K2 in regulating inflammation

06-Jun-2016 By Nathan Gray

Vitamin K2 could block the production of pro-inflammatory molecules by human white blood cells, according to a new in vitro study.

Nattopharma's vitamin K2 ingredient makes splash in arterial health space with new product launch

10-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin K2, recognized in recent years for its role in bone health, is now making a splash in the cardiovascular disease realm with the launch of a new product using Nattopharma’s MenaQ7 ingredient.

NattoPharma gets Canadian Patent for vitamin K2 and omega-3s

04-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Vitamin K2 supplier NattoPharma ASA has been granted a new Canadian patent covering pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products combining vitamin K2 with omega-3s for a range of health benefits.

MenaQ7 use in medical food validates K2’s role in optimal calcium absorption, say NattoPharma

09-Oct-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

With the recent press coverage on issues surrounding calcium consumption and absorption, the incorporation of NattoPharma’s MenaQ7 crystals into a prescription medical food from Primus Pharmaceuticals reinforces the role of Vitamin K2 in aiding optimal...

Global vitamin K2 product launches double; just ‘beginning the ride’

10-Sep-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

Over the past five years, new food and beverage product launches containing vitamin K2 have nearly doubled worldwide (up 183%), according to new research from Mintel. 

The forgotten vitamin: ‘K2 has not even begun to realize its potential’

03-Apr-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Is 2013 the year for vitamin K2 in the US? A breakthrough study and growing awareness over deficiency point to progress, but consumer awareness is still growing in baby steps for ‘the most fascinating of all vitamins’, says a leading supplier.

Cardio-friendly foods biggest opportunity for vitamin K2, predicts NattoPharma

30-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

Heart healthy functional foods – particularly dairy and butter/margarine – represent the biggest growth opportunity for natural vitamin K2, according to NattoPharma chief executive Peter Carlsson.

Frutarom USA rolls out vitamin K2 ingredient

02-Mar-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The vitamin K market has a new entrant as Frutarom USA announced the launch of its uniK2 ingredient for use in functional foods and food supplements, following a successful launch in Europe.

Kappa enlists ChromaDex for K2 quality control

03-Dec-2010

New vitamin K2 player Kappa Bioscience will utilize third party tester ChromaDex’s reference standards and analytical methods after signing a global agreement.

Frutarom enters emerging Vitamin K2 market

16-Nov-2010 By Guy Montague-Jones

Israel-based Frutarom is joining the emerging market for Vitamin K2 with a new ingredient called UniK2 for use in supplements and functional foods.

US Vitamin K market set for explosion?

22-Sep-2010 By Stephen Daniells

With the entrance of a new vitamin K2 ingredient onto the US market, NutraIngredients-USA catches up with the state of play of vitamin K.

Scientists rally in support of vitamin K2’s bone benefits

27-Apr-2010 By Stephen Daniells

The null findings of a randomised clinical trial of vitamin K2 and bone health do not mean the vitamin does not benefit skeletal health, say leading scientists in the field who have challenged the recent findings.