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Breaking news on natural vitamin K2 MK-7

You can say you heard it here first: a brand new double-blind, placebo-controlled study confirms that natural vitamin K2 in the form of natural MK-7 builds bone strength, helps prevent osteoporosis, and protects the heart.

Noted vitamin K expert Dr. Cees Vermeer led the European study which found that natural vitamin K2 as MK-7 (MenaQ 7 ®) significantly increases the strength of both the spine and the hip in postmenopausal women. The study also verified earlier findings about the cardiovascular benefits of this nutrient. Specifically, the use of MK-7 results in improvements in vascular elasticity and a decrease in age-related stiffening of the arteries.

The dose used in this trial was 180 mcg of natural vitamin K2 as MK-7, which is the level commonly found in Japanese diets. The trial lasted for 3 years, with relevant improvement in the hip neck area being apparent after 2-3 years. This explains why previous, shorter studies have not typically shown MK-7 benefits on bone and cardiovascular health.

This is surely welcome news for all of us who are looking to strengthen our bones and protect our hearts naturally. Personally I am delighted with this scientific validation of what I have been reporting to you for years — MK-7 offers great benefits for both the skeleton and cardiovascular systems.

For a review of my previous discussions of vitamin K checkout my video “The many benefits of vitamin K” and my article “Vitamin K: the overlooked bone builder and heart protector.”


Reference: Vermeer, C., et al., “Mena Q7 Significantly Improves Bone Strength and Prevents Cardiovascular Aging”, Pre-publication presentation, Vitafoods, 2012, Geneva, May 22, 2012

We created the Better Bones blog as our forum to express opinions and educate the public about natural means of supporting and improving bone health and overall wellness. As part of this forum, we sometimes discuss medical issues and medications, and their effects on bone health in general. However, we cannot advise readers about specific medical issues in this forum. If you wish to obtain advice from Susan E. Brown, PhD, about your specific bone health and nutritional concerns, please visit our Consultations page. Other specific medical questions should be referred to your healthcare provider.

June 4, 2012 10:41
Nutrition and Lifestyle  |  Comments (7)

Comments

June 6. 2012 16:37

I'm wondering about eating raw foods and the "digestion fires" you mentioned in a recent blog.  The health and eating well books I've read talk about eating a raw food diet.  So, now I'm confused because you mentioned avoiding raw foods which may cool "digestion fires."  I was wondering if you could comment.  Thank you - Andi

Andi F.

June 11. 2012 14:42

Hi Andi,
Digestion can be seen as the "hub" of our energy production and building and maintaining digestive strength is of utmost importance. According to the wisdom-driven Eastern cultures, cold and raw food are difficult to digest and weaken "the fire" of digestion.  Raw foods offer more enzymes, but they are of little use if digestion is weak.
In the summer is probably fine to use some raw salads in moderation and equally if a person has very strong digestion and does not get any gas, bloating or have other digestive issues it might be find eat a bit more raw food. In the cold weather,however,and for those with week digestion it is best to use the cooked and hot food and follow my 10 Steps to Stronger Digestion guidelines http://www.betterbones.com/bonenutrition/betterdigestion.aspx

Susan Brown

June 25. 2012 10:34

Dr Brown
   I believe the research on MK7 and am trying to supplement with it. However I have never been able to digest soy and I have pretty extreme gas/bloating with MK7- any suggestions or alternatives? (PS also lacotse or milk protein intolerant so don't use fermented cheeses.

deborah n

June 25. 2012 11:11

Can you comment on the differences between MK-7 and MK-4?  And why MK4 seems to be used in Japan?  Seemingly extraordinary amount is seen as common over there.  45 mg (not mcg!) daily MK4 has been approved by the Ministry of Health in Japan since 1995 for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and seems to be the most commonly used form and most researched form in Japan.  Here in the US it has from what I read encountered obstacles by pharma? in selling to the public?

Steve

June 25. 2012 11:31

what is your opinion on Green Smoothies?

Barb

June 26. 2012 13:15

Now I'm getting really confused - have you read the article, Healthy Women Advised Not to Take Calcium and Vitamin D to Prevent Fractures?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/13/health/calcium-and-vitamin-d-ineffective-for-fractures-us-preventive-services-task-force-says.html

After it appeared on June 12, I though for sure there would have been more debate - I haven't seen a thing.

Pat Chiappa

July 10. 2012 18:16

Awesome!  It's so great Dr. Brown to see this confirmation on what I know, for a fact, is of absolute importance with Vitamin K in the longer acting form of MK-7 [not Mk-4] for one's best bone and heart health.  Several years ago, after using AEP Calcium, Mg Citrate and high dose Vitamin D3 for some time, I still had a chronic back ache that sharply reminded when out walking on uneven ground with my dogs.  So, after adding what I now call the '4th pillar of bone health' MK-7, I was elated to find that in only three weeks I was no longer reminded of that pesky pain.  Then, when further research confirmed how this would prove if there was better bone building activity, I had the Osteocalcin blood test which confirmed how my Osteoblast cells [forming new bone] were elevated way above range.  As a postmenopausal woman, I then knew that this proved how I had formerly been deficient in Vitamin K [even though I enjoy daily greens, veggies] and three months later with a second test, that revealed how the Osteocalcin had done its job well enough to move back into normal range. Since then, after I dropped the Calcium, and stayed with Mg, D3 and MK-7, there has been no further ache and plenty of activity for this pain-free woman. Relative to comments from others about dosing, I achieved this result at 45 mcg and once, I did try the Life Extension Foundation's Vitamin K formula of 1000 mcg which uses several forms of K...but while preferring to use only that which is needed to achieve good effect, I found that the study dose of natural MK-7 at 180 mcg is where my skeleton feels best, at least for now. In other words, depending on one's stage of life and health status or challenge, it seems that such critical vitamin can be safety tweaked in a wide range until one feels their improvement which can even be confirmed by the routine monitoring with blood tests.  May we be well, and stay strong.  

Dar L.

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