Dietary deficiency of vitamin K1 is extremely rare unless there has been significant damage to the intestinal lining, such as in inflammatory bowel disorders (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis, etc), liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and fat malabsorption disorders.
In addition, the use of oral blood-thinning medications and some antibiotics can interfere with vitamin K.
Individuals with chronic kidney disease are at risk for vitamin K deficiency. Individuals with ApoE4 genotype may be at greater risk for low vitamin K.
Since Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin, following a chronically low-fat diet can inhibit absorption.
Inadequate levels of both Vitamin K1 and K2 will radically increase risk for heart disease and stroke.
Chronically low vitamin K levels can lead to uncontrolled bleeding and chronic marginally low vitamin K levels are correlated in some studies with osteoporosis.
Because vitamin K2 also assists in calcium homeostasis, low or deficient levels of vitamin K2 can lead to unregulated calcium release from bone tissue sources in the presence of vitamin D3 supplementation. Supplementation of vitamin D2 does not tend to lead to this, however. It is recommended that vitamin K2 be supplemented when vitamin D3 is supplemented.
Levels of K2 are inversely related to cardiovascular disease and coronary calcification.
Studies suggest daily therapeutic doses of about 360-500 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin K2.
Fermented foods contain a wide variety of different bacteria, and only certain ones—such as Bacillus subtilis—actually make vitamin K2. Dietary vitamin K2 intake is enhanced with regular consumption of fermented foods. You can make fermented foods yourself, by using a starter culture specifically designed to optimize K2.
Vitamin K2 supplements come in ‘MK’ varieties and MK-4 is what all forms of vitamin K2 are converted in vivo. If one takes an MK-7 variety, the body will convert to MK-4, however, MK-4 supplements can be found commercially to bypass activation after absorption.
Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins. This group of vitamins includes two natural vitamins: vitamin K1 and vitamin K2.
Vitamin K2 is the main storage form of Vitamin K in animals. It has several forms, referred to as menaquinones.
The nomenclature denoting vitamin K2 types will include an‘MK’to specify this is a menaquinone and the number following this denotes how many isoprenyl units are on the side chain of the molecule. The most common forms are MK-4 and MK-7.
Bacteria in the colon can convert K1 (from K plant-based foods) into vitamin K2.
Vitamin K2 is necessary to prevent arterial 2 calcification, which it does by activating matrix GLA
protein (MGP). This matrix GLA protein is present in blood vessels and inhibits soft tissue calcification.
Matrix GLA protein needs to be carboxylated to work properly and Vitamin K2-MK7 plays a major role in this carboxylation.
Vitamin K2 (Serum)
