XYMOGEN, K2-45 | 60 Capsules

K2-45, derived from non-GMO soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis natto, is the most bioavailable and bioactive form of supplemental vitamin K2 available.  Historical use and numerous studies have confirmed safety and efficacy for bone and heart health.*

• Supports Bone Health by Promoting Carboxylation of Bone Proteins*
• Supports Cardiovascular Health by Affecting Arterial Calcium Deposits*
• Supports Healthy Blood Clotting*

Naturally occurring vitamin K is found as either K1 (phylloquinone), which is derived from food sources such as green leafy vegetables, or K2 (menaquinones). Menaquinones are designated as MK-n, where n denotes the length of the molecule’s aliphatic side chain. Menaquinones are synthesized by bacteria and can be obtained from animal-based and fermented foods. Structural differences between K1 and K2 impact their bioavailability and bioactivity. Furthermore, among menaquinones, menaquinone-7 (MK-7), with its longer side chain, is very hydrophobic. Compared to K1, MK-7’s physiochemical properties make it highly transportable by plasma lipoproteins, increase its extrahepatic (bones, arteries, etc.) availability, and produce its long half-life.[1-3]

Absorption of K1 from food can be limited due to its membrane-bound nature and the individual consumer’s digestive and absorptive variability. Moreover, adequate consumption of foods high in K2 can be challenging. Therefore, dietary supplementation is an important option. In addition, research suggests that higher levels of menaquinones are needed than were previously thought. Supplementary vitamin K can be found in three forms: synthetic K1; MK-4, which is structurally similar to K1; and natural, long-chain MK-7. XYMOGEN provides MK-7 as Vitamk7™, a naturally derived and solvent-free vitamin K2 that has been obtained through a patent-granted bio-fermentation process of Bacillus subtilis natto cultures.*

MK-7 Bioavailability Increases Extrahepatic Tissue Utilization

Schurgers et al conducted human studies to compare the in vivo properties of orally administered K1 and MK-7. The results supported better bioavailability and utilization of MK-7. Expressed as AUC96, MK-7 demonstrated a six-fold better half-life, a seven- to eight-fold higher dose-response level, and a three times higher carboxylated to uncarboxylated osteocalcin ratio (cOC:ucOC† ). Furthermore, on a molar basis, MK-7 is a three-to-four times more potent antidote for oral anticoagulation than K1. Researchers note that, aside from sensitive individuals, “MK-7 supplements containing more than 50 mcg/d may interfere with oral anticoagulant treatment, whereas doses of at least 50 mcg are not likely to affect the INR value in a relevant way.”[2] Nonetheless, practitioners should closely monitor patients taking anticoagulants.*

While studies on the absorption and bioavailability of MK-4 at nutritional levels (i.e., doses of 500 mcg/d or lower) suggest less efficacy compared to longer-chain menaquinones at similar doses,[4] this remains subject to debate. It is possible that rapid uptake of MK-4 could account for its observed lack of detection in serum after oral administration,[5] but more studies are needed for clarification.*

Bone Benefits

Among the dietary factors critical to bone health, vitamin K has emerged as a key player. Vitamin K is believed to be necessary for bone mineralization. Through carboxylation, vitamin K activates osteocalcin, the protein needed to bind calcium to the mineral matrix in bone.[6] Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of MK-7 (e.g., doses of 45-90 mcg/d) to increase osteocalcin carboxylation and to increase the cOC:ucOC ratio. A high cOC:ucOC ratio is associated with bone health.[1,2,4] A recent in vitro study also showed an osteogenic effect of MK-7 administration on human mesenchymal cell differentiation.[6] In addition, the vitamin may protect bone integrity by reducing the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 or interleukin-6 by osteoclasts.[7] Animal and human studies have demonstrated a significant beneficial effect of MK-7 supplementation on bone health.[8-10] Vitamin K and vitamin D share some similar characteristics and are believed to act synergistically.*[11]

Cardiovascular and Other Health Benefits

Vitamin K benefits cardiovascular health by participating in the carboxylation of matrix GLA protein (MGP), a protein regarded to be the most potent inhibitor of arterial calcification. Researchers have demonstrated that supplementation with vitamin K reduces arterial calcium deposits[1,3,12] and that long-term intake of long-chain menaquinones is inversely correlated with calcium accumulation in arteries.*[5]

Vitamin K has specific receptor binding sites that allow it to regulate gene activity.[13] Besides its gene-mediating effects upon critical proteins, the vitamin can bind with the steroid and xenobiotic receptors and influence their expression.[14] In addition, vitamin K also demonstrates antioxidant activity[15]; reduces levels of certain markers, such as acute phase reactants (e.g., C-reactive protein)[16]; and participates in the induction of apoptosis.*[17]

Vitamin D (as D3)

Although vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is made in the skin when 7-dehydrocholesterol reacts with sunlight, many things affect the degree to which this biosynthesis occurs, including time of day, seasons, location, smog/ pollution, clothing, shade of skin (darker skin requires more sun), and sunscreen use. Low-cholesterol diets and certain cholesterol therapies can also affect vitamin D formation. By some estimates, one billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.[18] The body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium, and the importance of vitamin D in skeletal health and bone density is well-established. Without adequate absorption, the body must take calcium from its stores in the skeleton, which weakens existing bone and prevents the formation of strong, new bone. Researchers suggest that vitamin D supplementation may decrease bone turnover and increase bone mineral density.[19] A pooled analysis evaluating 11 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials supported this analysis. It concluded that vitamin D supplementation (> 800 IU daily) was favorable in maintaining hip and nonvertebral bone integrity in individuals aged 65 and older.*[20]

Although D2 and D3 are similar biochemically, one study demonstrated D3 to be approximately 87% more potent in raising and maintaining serum calcidiol (the body’s storage form) concentrations and in producing two- to threefold greater storage of vitamin D than did equimolar D2.*[21]

† The cOC:ucOC ratio can be used as a determinant of vitamin K status.

Other Ingredients:

Microcrystalline cellulose, capsule (hypromellose and water), stearic acid, magnesium stearate, and silica.

Directions:

Take one capsule with a meal, one to two times daily, or as directed by your healthcare professional.

Consult your healthcare professional before use. Individuals taking blood thinners or other medication should discuss potential interactions with their healthcare professional. Do not use it if the tamper seal is damaged.

Storage:

Keep closed in a cool, dry place out of reach of children.

Formulated To Exclude:

Wheat, gluten, yeast, soy protein, animal and dairy products, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, sesame, ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, and artificial preservatives.

References:

1. Brugè F, Bacchetti T, Principi F, et al. Olive oil supplemented with menaquinone-7 significantly affects osteocalcin carboxylation. Br J Nutr. 2011 Oct;106(7):1058-62. [PMID: 21736837]
2. Schurgers LJ, Teunissen KJ, Hamulyák K, et al. Vitamin K-containing dietary supplements: comparison of synthetic vitamin K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7. Blood. 2007 Apr 15;109(8):3279-83. [PMID: 17158229]
3. Beulens JW, Bots ML, Atsma F, et al. High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification. Atherosclerosis. 2009 Apr;203(2):489-93. [PMID: 18722618]
4. Sato T, Schurgers LJ, Uenishi K. Comparison of menaquinone-4 and menaquinone-7 bioavailability in healthy women. Nutr J. 2012 Nov 12;11:93. [PMID: 23140417]
5. Schurgers LJ, Vermeer C. Differential lipoprotein transport pathways of K-vitamins in healthy subjects. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2002 Feb 15;1570(1):27- 32. [PMID: 11960685]
6. Gigante A, Brugè F, Cecconi S, et al. Vitamin MK-7 enhances vitamin D3-induced osteogenesis in hMSCs: modulation of key effectors in mineralization and vascularization. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2012 Oct 29. [PMID: 23109511]
7. Weber P. Management of osteoporosis: is there a role for vitamin K? Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1997;67(5):350-56. [PMID: 9350477]
8. Yamaguchi M, Taguchi H, Gao YH, et al. Effect of vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) in fermented soybean (natto) on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. J Bone Miner Metab. 1999;17(1):23-29. [PMID: 10084398]
9. Knapen MH, Drummen NE, Smit E, et al. Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2013 Sep;24(9):2499-507. [PMID: 23525894]
10. Kanellakis S, Moschonis G, Tenta R, et al. Changes in parameters of bone metabolism in postmenopausal women following a 12-month intervention period using dairy products enriched with calcium, vitamin D, and phylloquinone (vitamin K(1)) or menaquinone-7 (vitamin K (2)): the Postmenopausal Health Study II. Calcif Tissue Int. 2012 Apr;90(4):251-62. [PMID: 2239252]
11. Bolton-Smith C, McMurdo ME, Paterson CR, et al. Two-year randomized controlled trial of vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and vitamin D3 plus calcium on the bone health of older women. J Bone Miner Res. 2007 Apr;22(4):509-19. [PMID: 17243866]
12. Geleijnse JM, Vermeer C, Grobbee DE, et al. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study. J Nutr. 2004 Nov;134(11):3100-05. [PMID: 15514282]
13. Igarashi M, Yogiashi Y, Mihara M, et al. Vitamin K induces osteoblast differentiation through pregnane X receptor-mediated transcriptional control of the Msx2 gene. Mol Cell Biol. 2007 Nov;27(22):7947-54. [PMID: 17875939]
14. Azuma K, Inoue S. Vitamin K function mediated by activation of steroid and xenobiotic receptor [in Japanese]. Clin Calcium. 2009 Dec;19(12):1770-8. [PMID: 19949268]
15. Vervoort LM, Ronden JE, Thijssen HH. The potent antioxidant activity of the vitamin K cycle in microsomal lipid peroxidation. Biochem Pharmacol. 1997 Oct 15;54(8):871-76. [PMID: 9354587]
16. Shea MK, Booth SL, Massaro JM, et al. Vitamin K and vitamin D status: associations with inflammatory markers in the Framingham Offspring Study. Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Feb 1;167(3):313-20. [PMID: 18006902]
17. Sada E, Abe Y, Ohba R, et al. Vitamin K2 modulates the differentiation and apoptosis of both myeloid and erythroid lineages. Eur J Haematol. 2010 Dec;85(6):538- 48. [PMID: 20887388]
18. Tsiaras WG, Weinstock MA. Factors influencing vitamin d status. Acta Derm Venereol. 2011 Mar;91(2):115-24. [PMID: 21384086]
19. Lips P, van Schoor NM. The effect of vitamin D on bone and osteoporosis. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Aug;25(4):585-91. [PMID: 21872800]
20. 20. Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Willett WC, Orav EJ, et al. A pooled analysis of vitamin D dose requirements for fracture prevention. N Engl J Med. 2012 Jul 5;367(1):40- 49. [PMID: 22762317]
21. 21. Heaney RP, Recker RR, Grote J, et al. Vitamin D3 is more potent than vitamin D2 in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Mar;96(3):E447-52. [PMID: 21177785]