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Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin K2 (MK-7)Evidence & Dosage

Calcium routing, bone health, arterial calcification and synergy with vitamin D3.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
796
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
125
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1980–2026

Vitamin K2 (MK-7) in the context of Vitamins & Minerals

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Top studies on Vitamin K2 (MK-7)

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. The Importance of Vitamin K and the Combination of Vitamins K and D for Calcium Metabolism and Bone Health: A Review.

    Nutrients2024n=72,000review117 influential citations

    The aim of the present review is to discuss the roles of vitamin K (phylloquinone or menaquinones) and vitamin K-dependent proteins, and the combined action of the vitamins K and D, for the maintenance of bone health. The most relevant…

  2. Vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) effectively prevents fractures and sustains lumbar bone mineral density in osteoporosis.

    J Bone Miner Res2000n=241RCT90 influential citations

    We attempted to investigate whether vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) treatment effectively prevents the incidence of new fractures in osteoporosis. A total of 241 osteoporotic patients were enrolled in a 24-month randomized open label study. The…

  3. Effect of vitamin K2 supplementation on functional vitamin K deficiency in hemodialysis patients: a randomized trial.

    Am J Kidney Dis2012n=53RCT87 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Vascular calcification is a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hemodialysis patients experience severe vascular calcifications. Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a central calcification inhibitor of the…

  4. Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial of Vitamin K Antagonist Replacement by Rivaroxaban with or without Vitamin K2 in Hemodialysis Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: the Valkyrie Study.

    J Am Soc Nephrol2020n=132RCT87 influential citations

    Significance Statement Functional vitamin K deficiency, exacerbated by the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), is thought to contribute to the rapid progression of vascular calcifications in patients on dialysis. We randomized patients…

  5. Vitamin K2 ameliorates osteoarthritis by suppressing ferroptosis and extracellular matrix degradation through activation GPX4's dual functions.

    Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie2024E87 influential citations

    Vitamin K2 (VK2) is an effective compound for anti-ferroptosis and anti-osteoporosis, and Semen sojae praeparatum (Dandouchi in Chinese) is the main source of VK2. Chondrocyte ferroptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation playing…

  6. Vitamin K-containing dietary supplements: comparison of synthetic vitamin K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7.

    Blood2007Clinical Trial77 influential citations

    Vitamin K is a cofactor in the production of blood coagulation factors (in the liver), osteocalcin (in bone), and matrix Gla protein (cartilage and vessel wall). Accumulating evidence suggests that for optimal bone and vascular health,…

  7. Vitamin K and the prevention of fractures: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

    Arch Intern Med2006n=13Meta-Analysis75 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Observational and some experimental data suggest that low intake of vitamin K may be associated with an increased risk of fracture.<h4>Objective</h4>To assess whether oral vitamin K (phytonadione and menaquinone)…

    Finding: In the fracture meta-analysis, menaquinone was associated with fewer vertebral fractures.

  8. Vitamins K2 and D3 Improve Long COVID, Fungal Translocation, and Inflammation: Randomized Controlled Trial.

    Nutrients2025n=151RCT74 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>Long COVID (LC) is characterized by persistent symptoms at least 3 months after a SARS-COV-2 infection. LC has been associated with fungal translocation, gut dysfunction, and enhanced systemic inflammation. Currently,…

  9. Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women. A double-blind randomised clinical trial.

    Thromb Haemost2015n=244RCT67 influential citations

    Observational data suggest a link between menaquinone (MK, vitamin K2) intake and cardiovascular (CV) health. However, MK intervention trials with vascular endpoints are lacking. We investigated long-term effects of MK-7 (180 µg…

  10. Vitamin K2 and D in Patients With Aortic Valve Calcification: A Randomized Double-Blinded Clinical Trial.

    Circulation2022n=365RCT59 influential citations

    Background: Menaquinone-7 (MK-7), also known as vitamin K2, is a cofactor for the carboxylation of proteins involved in the inhibition of arterial calcification and has been suggested to reduce the progression rate of aortic valve…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) (45 mg/day orally) • Menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) (45, 135, or 360 μg/d)
Are there safety considerations for Vitamin K2 (MK-7)?
• No adverse events were reported in the abstract. • Not reported • Life-threatening and major bleeding episodes were fewer with rivaroxaban than with VKA. • Bleeding outcomes overall were otherwise not significantly different.

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Vitamin K2 (MK-7) is mainly relevant for bone; the data on blood vessels are mixed. Here, dosage, MK-7 vs. MK-4, and D3 combination are classified clearly.

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