Study confirms k2-fortified dairy is effective application
A second study using MenaQ7® confirms fortified K2 yogurt—regular yogurt enhanced with vitamin K2, typically MK-7—provides an ideal dairy matrix to deliver this fat-soluble nutrient.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a study [1] that adds to the growing body of evidence showing that Vitamin K2, as MenaQ7®, can be delivered safely and with high bioavailability through yogurt and through soft gel capsules, with fortified K2 yogurts able to provide therapeutic doses per serving. For product developers and brands in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and functional food & beverage markets, this makes K2 yogurt a practical, research-backed format for increasing vitamin K status and supporting bone and cardiovascular health in populations with low K2 intake.
The article examines how vitamin K2 performs in a yogurt matrix, how clinical results compare between fortified yogurt and capsule delivery, and how naturally fermented MK-7 can support functional food development and partnership opportunities. The researchers previously studied the effects of vitamin K status after 8 weeks of intake of a yogurt fortified with MenaQ7 K2 and enriched with vitamins C and D3, magnesium, and polyunsaturated fatty acids.
For this new study, the researchers compared the fasting plasma concentrations of MK-7 from (a) yogurt enriched with MK-7, vitamins D3 and C, magnesium, n-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and fish oil (yogurt Kplus); (b) yogurt fortified with MK-7 only (yogurt K); and (c) soft gel capsules containing only MK-7. The goal of the 42-day study, included healthy men and postmenopausal women between 45 and 65 years, was to see if there was a link between the yogurt formats to improved absorbed vitamin K status, particularly vitamin K2 (as MenaQ7) in the body.
Combining nutrition and supplements for bone health
The researchers assessed circulating MK-7, 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) and markers for vitamin K status [uncarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) and desphospho-uncarboxylated matrix Gla-protein (dp-ucMGP, a form of MGP that helps inhibit calcium deposits in blood vessels)]. The increase in plasma MK-7 with the yogurt Kplus product was more pronounced than the increase in MK-7 with the capsules. ucOC reflects osteocalcin activity, which binds calcium to bones. However, circulating dp-ucMGP and ucOC were significantly lowered after consumption of both the yogurt products and the MK-7 capsules, reflecting vitamin K status improvement from both delivery methods as well as supporting bone density and cardiovascular health. Low vitamin K2 levels are also associated with higher osteoporosis risk.
The study shows that “obtaining Vitamin K2 from food sources is essentially equivalent to Vitamin K2 delivered in supplements,” says Hogne Vik, chief medical officer with ex-NattoPharma, formerly the exclusive global supplier of MenaQ7. Pairing vitamin K2 with Vitamin D3 and magnesium can also support nutrient absorption, and those nutrients were included in one yogurt arm. “Clearly getting Vitamin K2 from diet is ideal, be it cheese, natto, or enriched yogurts, and specialized K2 yogurts may even match the amounts used in clinical trials. However, as most Western populations are deficient in this essential nutrient, and Vitamin K2 consumption has been linked to improved cardiovascular health and bone health, people are not getting enough from diet, making supplementation a viable alternative.
“This study further affirms that MenaQ7 is a safe and effective as either a supplement or a functional food,” adds Vik. “We see this as support for further exploring the use of MenaQ7 in yogurt and other dairy products so we can reach an even wider audience.”
Reference:
- Knapen MHJ, Braam LAJL, Teunissen KJ, van’t Hoofd CM, Zwijsen RML, van den Heuvel EGHM, Vermeer C. Steady-state vitamin K2 (menaquinone-7) plasma concentrations after intake of dairy products and soft gel capsules. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2016), 1–6.
Deep Dive Into Vitamin K2
Significant research shows vitamin K2 from natural fermentation, especially its key long chain isomers MK-7, in fermented dairy to be essential for bone- and cardiovascular-health support.
- In dairy, vitamin K2 is synthesized by bacteria during the fermentation process, and different starter cultures can produce different menaquinones.
- In fermented foods, natto is the richest known source of vitamin K2 because it is a traditional fermented soy food, and vitamin K2 is found primarily in fermented foods and animal products. By contrast, animal-based foods like some dairy and meat can contribute K2 in smaller amounts. Eggs may also add some K2, especially the egg yolks.
- Regular yogurt is not usually a good source of K2; it often contains only small traces, but it does provide protein, calcium, and probiotics, with amounts varying by product. Low-fat or skim versions have very little unless fortified, and flavored options should be checked for added sugar.
- Vitamin K2 in dairy is a fat-soluble nutrient and one of the key fat-soluble vitamins. It is recommended to eat full-fat dairy because the fat helps absorption. That makes full-fat Greek yogurt and other full-fat options more reliable than low-fat versions to obtain vitamin K2.
- Greek yogurt can provide about 1.0 to 2.0 mcg per 100g in full-fat forms, while nonfat versions contain very little, so the serving difference stays modest unless fortified. Full-fat dairy and butter contain K2, but yogurt may be a healthy choice for people who want fermented dairy.
- K2 yogurt also delivers live probiotic cultures that support gut health. Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are plant-based foods that provide Vitamin K1 for blood clotting, however, those vegetables and fruits are not meaningful K2 sources. Other foods such as organ meats, including liver and chicken liver, can supply K2, but they are not palatable to most people.
Supporting bone and cardiovascular health can be as simple as adding a K2-fortified yogurt to daily routines. This delivery method, which can make for a perfect first meal of the day, can help reach a larger population than capsules alone, because it is easier for many people to eat regularly.
