Lever
Lifestyle
- Regular weight-bearing exercise
- Avoid smoking
- Manage chronic conditions like CKD
Blutwerte · Marker
Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
Menaquinone-7 · MK-7 · Vitamin K2
Vitamine & Nährstoffe
- Einheit:
- ng/mL
- Abbreviation
- K2 / MK-7
Vitamin K2 (MK-7) measures the concentration of menaquinone-7 in the blood, reflecting its availability for biological processes like protein carboxylation.
Reference Ranges
Reference
0.12–3.54ng/mL
0.12
3.54
LowNormalHigh
Reference
Unit · ng/mLReference range established for healthy women of childbearing age; may vary in other populations.
Overview
Übersicht
Vitamin K2 (MK-7), also known as menaquinone-7, is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in the carboxylation of specific proteins required for blood coagulation and bone health. It is one of the subtypes of Vitamin K2, distinguished by its longer side chain, which affects its bioavailability and half-life in the body. Researchers have observed that MK-7 is integral in activating proteins like osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein, which are essential for bone mineralization and preventing vascular calcification. Clinically, Vitamin K2 (MK-7) is significant for its role in maintaining cardiovascular and bone health. Deficiency in MK-7 has been linked to increased risks of osteoporosis and arterial calcification, particularly in populations with chronic kidney disease or those undergoing dialysis. In the context of athletic performance and longevity, MK-7 is valued for its potential to enhance bone strength and reduce cardiovascular risks, thereby supporting overall physical resilience and longevity. Biohackers may focus on optimizing MK-7 levels to leverage its benefits on bone density and vascular health. However, researchers found that factors such as chronic kidney disease and certain medications can interfere with MK-7 metabolism and efficacy. Additionally, the time of day and fasting status do not significantly affect MK-7 levels, but lipid levels can influence its absorption. Therefore, consistent dietary intake and consideration of individual health conditions are crucial for accurate assessment and optimization of MK-7 levels.
Klinische Bedeutung
Elevated MK-7 levels generally indicate sufficient vitamin K status, supporting bone and cardiovascular health. Reduced levels may suggest a deficiency, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and vascular calcification, particularly in individuals with chronic kidney disease or on dialysis.
Dynamics
Trend Interpretation
Rising Values
Progressively rising MK-7 levels suggest improved vitamin K status, beneficial for bone and cardiovascular health. Re-test annually to monitor status.
Falling Values
Progressively falling MK-7 levels may indicate worsening vitamin K status, increasing risk for bone and vascular issues.
Re-test Interval
4 weeks if outside optimal range
Etiology
Causes — High & Low
Cause
Elevated Levels
- High dietary intake of fermented foods
- Supplementation with MK-7
- Improved intestinal absorption
- Reduced metabolic clearance
Cause
Low Levels
- Chronic kidney disease
- Poor dietary intake
- Use of certain medications (e.g., statins)
- Malabsorption syndromes
Protocol
How to Optimize
Lever
Nutrition
- Consume fermented foods like natto
- Increase intake of leafy greens
- Incorporate dairy products
Lever
Supplementation
- MK-7 supplements
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
Note:
Consult a healthcare provider before beginning any supplementation, especially if on medication or with chronic health conditions.
Testing Guidelines
✓Fasting Not Required
✓Not Time-Sensitive
Vitamin K levels may vary; morning samples recommended for consistency.
Testing Frequency
Annually for general health monitoring, more frequently if managing specific health conditions.
Interfering Factors
- Lipid levels
- Certain medications
- Chronic kidney disease
Open Research Questions
Current research suggests that reference ranges for vitamin K2 (MK-7) in various populations, particularly in childbearing women, are not universally recognized, leading to potential misinterpretation of vitamin K status. Researchers have not yet established optimal targets for MK-7 supplementation in specific patient populations, such as those with chronic kidney disease or diabetes. Additionally, clinical questions remain unanswered regarding the long-term effects of MK-7 on vascular health and its role in mitigating arterial calcification.
16 Research Publications
124
Total Citations
11
Human/RCT
1.7
Avg. Influence
2026
Latest
Sort
Filter
01Top
#01
Altered vitamin K biodistribution and metabolism in experimental and human chronic kidney disease.
HumanInfluence2.0
35
Researchers investigated vitamin K metabolism in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). They found that CKD patients had reduced uptake of MK-7 into lipoproteins, indicating impaired vitamin K transport and metabolism in this population.
02Top
#02
Vitamin K (phylloquinone and menaquinones) in foods - Optimisation of extraction, clean-up and LC-ESI-MS/MS method for quantification.
In Vitro
20
Researchers optimized a method for quantifying vitamin K in foods, including MK-7. They validated the method across various food matrices, demonstrating its effectiveness for assessing vitamin K content in dietary sources.
03Top
#03
Dramatic Decrease of Vitamin K2 Subtype Menaquinone-7 in COVID-19 Patients.
Human
16
This study analyzed vitamin K levels in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy controls. Researchers observed significantly lower levels of MK-7 in COVID-19 patients, suggesting that the disease may impact vitamin K metabolism.
04
#04
Reference Range of Vitamin K Evaluating Indicators in Chinese Childbearing Women.
HumanInfluence2.0
11
Researchers aimed to establish reference ranges for vitamin K indicators in healthy women of childbearing age in China. They found specific reference ranges for serum levels of vitamin K1, MK-4, and MK-7, which can help assess vitamin K nutritional status in this demographic.
05
#05
Vitamin K for Vascular Calcification in Kidney Patients: Still Alive and Kicking, but Still a Lot to Learn.
Neofytou Ioannis Eleftherios, et al. · Nutrients · 2024
ReviewInfluence1.0
11
This review discussed the role of vitamin K in vascular calcification among patients with chronic kidney disease. Researchers highlighted the association between vitamin K levels and cardiovascular disease risk, emphasizing the need for more clinical trials on vitamin K supplementation.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed that vascular calcification is a major issue for patients with chronic kidney disease, contributing to cardiovascular problems.
- 02They found that vitamin K is important for regulating vascular calcification through specific proteins.
- 03Despite promising pre-clinical data, clinical trials on vitamin K supplementation have shown mixed results.
06
#06
Adaptive laboratory evolution for improved tolerance of vitamin K in Bacillus subtilis.
In Vitro
9
Researchers developed a method to enhance the production of MK-7 in Bacillus subtilis through adaptive laboratory evolution. They found that the evolved strain produced significantly more MK-7, which could have applications in probiotic formulations.
07
#07
Identification of Carotenoids and Isoprenoid Quinones from Asaia lannensis and Asaia bogorensis.
In Vitro
8
Researchers identified carotenoids and isoprenoid quinones produced by strains of acetic acid bacteria. They found that these strains could biosynthesize menaquinone-7 among other compounds. The study provides insights into the metabolic capabilities of these bacteria and their potential applications in food science.
08
#08
The effect of six-month oral vitamin K supplementation on calcification propensity time in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A post hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Meer R, et al. · Atherosclerosis · 2024
Human
8
This post-hoc analysis evaluated the impact of vitamin K supplementation on arterial calcification in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found no significant effect of MK-7 supplementation on calcification propensity time, suggesting further research is needed.
Key findings
- 01The study involved 68 participants with an average age of 69 years.
- 02Participants were divided into two groups: one received vitamin K and the other a placebo.
- 03Researchers observed no effect of vitamin K supplementation on arterial calcification over the six-month period.
09
#09
Vitamin K1 and K2 in the Diet of Patients in the Long Term after Kidney Transplantation.
Human
2
Researchers assessed dietary intake of vitamin K in kidney transplant recipients. They found adequate intake of vitamin K1 but insufficient levels of MK-7, indicating a potential risk of vitamin K deficiency in this population.
10
#10
No Detectable Coagulation Activation After Vitamin K (MK-7) Supplementation in Patients on Dialysis With Functional Vitamin K Deficiency: A One-Year Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.
Bladbjerg Else-Marie, et al. · Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation · 2024
Human
2
This study examined the effects of vitamin K2 (MK-7) supplementation on coagulation biomarkers in patients on dialysis. Researchers found no detectable changes in coagulation activation or adverse events after one year of supplementation, indicating no procoagulant effects from MK-7 in this population.
Key findings
- 01Researchers observed no detectable effects on blood clotting markers after one year of vitamin K supplementation.
- 02There was a significant decrease in a specific biomarker (PIVKA-II) in the vitamin K group compared to the placebo group.
- 03No differences in adverse events or serious complications were noted between the vitamin K and placebo groups.
Publication Trend
Research publications about Vitamin K2 (MK-7) over time
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