Continuing News about Importance of Vitamin K2 MK7

Since we often post reminders about the importance of making sure that circulating calcium is directed to bones for functionality and not incorporated into soft tissue areas such as arteries or heart tissue, the following reports about recent research from the University of Maastricht …originators of all the related info on the importance of using the useful form of Vitamin K2 - ie, Menaquinone 7 aka K2 MK7, are important observations since it confirms once again that using K2 MK7 helps eliminate existing calcifications and prevent new deposition. Just FYI. Note the higher dosing.

Jackie


MenaQ7 PURE Vitamin K2 shown to Protect Cardiovascular Muscle Damage Against Calcification in New study
Sep 3, 2015
Nutrients , an international, peer-reviewed journal for studies related to Human Nutrition, has approved for publication in September 2015 a new study showing the protective effect inhibiting muscle damage from calcification of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (menaquinone-7; MenaQ7® PURE provided by NattoPharma) supplementation on cardiovascular calcification.

The study, “High-Dose Menaquinone-7 Supplementation Reduces Cardiovascular Calcification in a Murine Model of Extraosseous Calcification,” is significant because it adds to the substantial body of evidence demonstrating the cardiovascular benefits of Vitamin K2 as MK-7, lending further understanding to the mechanism by which it inhibits calcification damage to cardiovascular muscle.

“Cardiovascular calcification is prevalent in the aging population and in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus, giving rise to substantial morbidity and mortality,” says Dr. Leon Schurgers, associate professor and senior scientist at the department of biochemistry, the Cardiovascular Research Institute CARIM of University of Maastricht (The Netherlands), and lead researcher on the study. “The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of high-dose MK-7 supplementation on the development of cardiovascular calcification and the impact on cardiovascular function in a murine model of chronic kidney disease characterized by extraosseous calcification.”

As it is well documented that kidney disease patients frequently suffer cardiovascular complications like calcification of the aorta and coronary arteries, the scientists applied an in-vivo rat model system for kidney disease.

The animals were divided into four groups: Two control groups with intact kidneys and on standard diet with respect to content of Phosphate and Calcium ± supplementation with 100µg Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (MenaQ7 ® PURE from NattoPharma)/g; and two treatment groups where 5/6 of their kidneys were removed (mimicking kidney patients) receiving a diet with high content of both Phosphate and Calcium ± supplementation with 100µg MK-7/g.

After 12 weeks, the animals were examined for calcification of the aorta, the myocardium, and in kidneys, as well as for certain other changes in the tissues. Using a sensitive technique for arterial calcification (atomic absorption spectroscopy), this study shows that high-dose MK-7 inhibits calcification in aorta and in the myocardium – parts of the arterial bed most often affected in kidney patients. MK-7 also normalized the kidney disease-induced high serum phosphate level.

Interestingly, a 10-fold increase in matrix Gla protein (MGP) gene expression in the MK-7 supplemented animals was recorded. According to the authors, this is the first time that MK-7 has been shown to affect the synthesis of MGP in the vascular wall – and not only locally in the arterial wall. This indicates an increased amount of MGP available for activation to inhibit calcification.

The researchers stated that MK-7 supplementation inhibited cardiovascular calcification and decreased aortic alkaline phosphate tissue concentrations. The effect of MK-7 was – at least in part – mediated via MGP and subsequent inhibition of ectopic calcification. Since vitamin K has no reported side effects, it seems a promising therapeutic agent for CKD patients, the researchers concluded.

“NattoPharma has enjoyed a long-standing R&D program with the University of Maastricht and CARIM with the specific goal of understanding and validating the benefits of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for human health,” says Hogne Vik, NattoPharma CEO. “This study is monumental because it shows that our MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 protected smooth muscle cells from calcification. Being able to provide the researchers with our new nature-identical MenaQ7 PURE to add to our growing body of clinical validation marks a true milestone for us.”

To view the new study in Nutrients, visit [www.mdpi.com].

Second report


Released: 04/04/18

NEW MENAQ7® VITAMIN K2 HUMAN STUDY IN AORTIC CALCIFICATION IN LEADING JOURNAL NUTRIENTS
Protocol shows Vitamin K2 treatment on imaging measurements of existing calcification

Oslo, Norway and Edison, NJ (April 4, 2018) — NattoPharma is excited to announce that Nutrients has published a new paper, "Bicuspid Aortic Valve Stenosis and the Effect of Vitamin K2 on Calcification Using 18F-Sodium Fluoride Positron Emission Tomography/Magnetic Resonance: The BASIK2 Rationale and Trial Design", which examines the benefits of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 for patients with existing calcification.

Being conducted by the expert researchers at Maastricht University Medical Center and CARIM, the double-blind placebo-controlled study will randomize subjects into intervention and control groups, receiving an oral dose of 360 micrograms (mcg) menaquinone-7 (MK-7) or placebo, respectively. The MK-7 is MenaQ7® (provided by NattoPharma ASA, Oslo, Norway) and the total study duration is 18 months with 44 participants who have bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and mild–moderate calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS).

According to Dr. Leon Schurgers, one of the paper’s authors: "18F-sodiumfluoride positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) assessments will be performed showing for the first time providing incremental information to the standard methods (echocardiography and CT) used to measure aortic valve stenosis and calcification. In essence, the progression or regression of micro-calcification should be clearly observable for the first time."

"This is a breakthrough study for individuals with existing calcifications, and noteworthy as the traditional medical community is initiating a study in diseased patients,” says Dr. Hogne Vik, NattoPharma Chief Medical Officer. "Previously published research in healthy populations show MenaQ7 can inhibit the progression of arterial stiffening, and even regress stiffening resulting in improved arterial flexibility. Now these researchers are looking to determine if vitamin K2 can regress calcification in patients with CAVS - while the only current treatment is valve replacement."

BAV is associated with early development of CAVS and pathophysiologic mechanisms are incompletely defined. Numerous pharmaceutical therapies have been studied as potential intervention in the progression of CAVS, but have not yet presented successful treatment options. Therefore, the only treatment option currently available for severe CAVS is valve replacement.

“Recognizing that medical therapies are proving ineffective, researchers are shining a light on efficacious supplemental alternatives, which leads them to the clinical research that NattoPharma has spearheaded. Specifically, our three-year cardiovascular study in healthy postmenopausal women taking just 180 mcg daily of Vitamin K2 as MK-7 (as MenaQ7), which demonstrated a cessation and even regression in arterial stiffness.

“The relevance of our three-year study has resulted in several studies by the medical community for patients with existing coronary artery calcification, aortic valve calcification, and peripheral artery calcification,” adds Dr. Vik.
***
Study [mdpi.com]

About NattoPharma and MenaQ7®
NattoPharma ASA, based in Norway, is the world’s leader in vitamin K2 research and development. NattoPharma is the exclusive international supplier of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7, the best documented, vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) with guaranteed actives and stability, clinical substantiation, and international patents granted and pending; and now the new MenaQ7® Full Spectrum, which delivers menaquinones 6, 7, and 9. The company has a multi-year research and development program to substantiate and discover the health benefits of Vitamin K2 for applications in the marketplace for functional food and dietary supplements. With a global presence, the company established its North American subsidiary, NattoPharma USA, Inc., in Edison, NJ, and NattoPharma R&D Ltd. in Cyprus. For more information, visit www.nattopharma.com or www.menaq7.com.

That latest research by NattoPhama dovetails nicely with the latest large study research into natto food which is very high in K2 and its effect on arterial stiffness and CVD. As I eat natto food every second day I have a very high intake of K2.

Dean


Dietary soy and natto intake and cardiovascular disease mortality in Japanese adults: the Takayama study.

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Whether soy intake is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains unclear. A traditional Japanese soy food, natto, contains a potent fibrinolytic enzyme. However, its relation to CVD has not been studied.
OBJECTIVE:
We aimed to examine the association of CVD mortality with the intake of natto, soy protein, and soy isoflavones in a population-based cohort study in Japan.
DESIGN:
The study included 13,355 male and 15,724 female Takayama Study participants aged ≥35 y. At recruitment in 1992, each subject was administered a validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Deaths from CVD were ascertained over 16 y.
RESULTS:
A total of 1678 deaths from CVD including 677 stroke and 308 ischemic heart disease occurred during follow-up. The highest quartile of natto intake compared with the lowest intake was significantly associated with a decreased risk of mortality from total CVD after control for covariates: the HR was 0.75 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.88, P-trend = 0.0004). There were no significant associations between the risk of mortality from total CVD and intakes of total soy protein, total soy isoflavone, and soy protein or soy isoflavone from soy foods other than natto. The highest quartiles of total soy protein and natto intakes were significantly associated with a decreased risk of mortality from total stroke (HR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.57, 0.99, P-trend = 0.03 and HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.88, P-trend = 0.0004, respectively).

The highest quartile of natto intake was also significantly associated with a decreased risk of mortality from ischemic stroke (HR = 0.67, 95% CI:0.47, 0.95, P-trend = 0.03).

CONCLUSION:
Data suggest that natto intake may contribute to the reduction of CVD mortality.

[www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]



Also this study on arterial stiffness:

Inverse association between soy food consumption, especially fermented soy products intake and soy isoflavone, and arterial stiffness in Japanese men

“These results demonstrated that greater consumption of soy food, especially fermented soy products and soy isoflavone was associated with reduced arterial stiffness, independent of systemic inflammation, in Japanese men.”

[www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Thanks Jackie,

Does MK-7/K2 increase blood coagulation?

I have seen reports that K1 does increase coagulation, but the information is less clear for MK-7/K2.

Quote
Jim Benton
Thanks Jackie,

Does MK-7/K2 increase blood coagulation?

I have seen reports that K1 does increase coagulation, but the information is less clear for MK-7/K2.

I think it brought my INR up. It's derived from Natto.

Hi Jim - No... the K2 does not.

It's the K1 component that increases coagulation... K1 (phylloquinone) is in the green leafy veggies/plants and that's why, when you are on Coumadin, the instructions are to avoid those foods....so that you can maintain a stable INR.

Some supplements include all the vitamin K forms... including the K1 so that's why it's better to take just the K2 MK7 although sometimes, formulations include the MK4..which is still okay as both the MK4 and the MK7 work the same way opposed to the K1 ( phylloquinone) - the plant form which incourages clotting.

There are numerous past posts you can find with an advanced search on this topic....

If you go to the MenaQ7 website, you can read the current info topics there for more detail.
[menaq7.com]



Jackie [ PM ]
Re: Is 120 mcg of K2 MK7 too much for an afibber?
December 30, 2012

Nancy - the current thinking is that doses of the K2 MK7 can be in the 200 mcg range.

Reliable information from the expert researchers on vitamin K2 are Leon Schurgers and Cees Vermeer, both PhD's at the University of Maastricht,who are recognized as the leaders in the vitamin K field. You can go to the MenaQ7 website and click on the research links for reliable information based on their scientific research. If you can locate the video clip of Dr. Schurgers MK7 presentation, it's worth spending the time to watch it.
[menaq7.com]

The other forms of vitamin K including the K1 and K2 MK4, have short half-lifes and function slightly differently than the K2. The idea behind the MK7 when taking vitamin D3 is to be sure that if serum calcium levels become elevated, then the MK7 directs calcium into the bone cells where it belongs and not in soft tissues like arteries or as bone spurs. The vitamin D3 at 1000 IU is a very small dose which is highly unlikely to cause elevated calcium.... but still, periodically, it's wise to have the serum calcium tested along with the 25 OHD just to be sure.

For those on warfarin and because warfarin tends to cause calcium deposition in arteries and aorta, it's advised that these patients work with a doctor who can supervise the dosing and test accordingly. These people, especially, definitely benefit from K2 MK7 whether or not they are also taking vitamin D3.

Jackie

The unfortunate thing is that statins deplete vitamin k2, and we know the strangle hold big Pharma has on statins.

This is an interesting link.

[www.statinnation.net]

Any problems with k2 and NOACs?

Hi Mike - As I stated in the post to Jim - the K1 component is the one to avoid. Many of the K2 MK7 formulations are just the MK4 and MK7 ... leaving out the K1...so there is no interference.

Jackie

Thank you Jackie (-: