What is vitamin K?
Vitamin K is a group of structurally similar, fat-soluble vitamins that occurs naturally in two forms – phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and menaquinone (vitamin K2) - both of which have different actions in the body.
What’s the difference between vitamin K1 and vitamin K2?
Vitamin K1 is well-known for its role in blood coagulation, while emerging evidence supports vitamin K2 for both bone and cardiovascular health.
How does vitamin K2 work?
Vitamin K2 supports bone mineral density and bone strength by activating osteocalcin, an important marker of bone mineralisation, that binds to hydroxyapatite to facilitate the deposition of calcium into bones, helping to support bone mineralisation.
Why 180 micrograms?
It has been shown the beneficial effects on both bone and cardiovascular health with vitamin K2 occur at this relatively low dose of 180 micrograms/day[1].
Vitamin K2 for post-menopausal women
Vitamin K2 is a key nutrient for post-menopausal women. Menopause, generally occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, causes a drop in oestrogen levels, resulting in increased bone loss. It is estimated that women lose up to 10 percent of their bone mass in the first 5 years after menopause[2]. Vitamin K2 can help maintain bone mass in postmenopausal women. A 3-year, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that 180 micrograms of vitamin K2 supported bone integrity in postmenopausal women[3].
Vitamin K2 for cardiovascular health
Vitamin K2 also supports cardiovascular health and blood vessel health, particularly artery health. The benefits on cardiovascular health are brought about through regulation of calcium homoeostasis. In a 3-year, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial, 180 micrograms of vitamin K2 maintained cardiovascular and arterial health in postmenopausal women[4].
Herbs of Gold Vitamin K2 180 MAX contains high-strength vitamin K2 as K2VITAL™, a patented form of vitamin K2 to support bone health and cardiovascular system health.
K2VITAL™
K2VITAL™ is a produced in Norway using state of the art technology and is proprietary form of vitamin K2 for enhanced stability and efficacy.
It is produced by organic synthesis, derived from essential flower oils, to create a pure and stable vitamin K2 that is identical to the vitamin K2 molecule found in nature. The stability of vitamin K2 is negatively affected by high temperatures, light and pH. Herbs of Gold Vitamin K2 180 MAX is manufactured under carefully controlled conditions to ensure that light, temperature and pH have as little influence as possible to ensure stability throughout the product shelf-life.
[1] Akbulut, A. C., Pavlic, A., Petsophonsakul, P., Halder, M., Maresz, K., Kramann, R., & Schurgers, L. (2020). Vitamin K2 needs an RDI separate from vitamin K1. Nutrients, 12(6), 1852.
[2] Better Health Channel. (2021). Menopause and […]. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/menopause-and-osteoporosis
[3] Knapen, M. H. J., Drummen, N. E., Smit, E., Vermeer, C., & Theuwissen, E. (2013). Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis International, 24, 2499-2507.
[4] Knapen, M. H., Braam, L. A., Drummen, N. E., Bekers, O., Hoeks, A. P., & Vermeer, C. (2015). Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 113(05), 1135-1144.
