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Vitamin · in-depth review

Vitamin K2 (MK-4)

Vitamin K2 (MK-4)

MK-4 is a short-chain menaquinone. Animal tissues can convert some K1 into it. Blood half-life is short; concentrations are high in liver, brain, pancreas, and other tissues. It activates vitamin K–dependent proteins such as osteocalcin.

Also known asMK-4
Related diseasesOsteoporosis
Related symptomsSlow wound healing

Marked asPrimarySupporting

Primary

Promotes bone mineralization

γ-Carboxylase does not select for chain length; MK-4 can equally activate osteocalcin, which only binds calcium and hydroxyapatite after carboxylation. Egg yolk, animal liver, and meat are trace food sources; the animal-food path is closer to this short-chain form supplying bone-matrix carboxylation substrate.

Primary

Maintains tissue carboxylation

MK-4's side chain has only four isoprene units, so blood levels fall quickly, yet brain, pancreas, and glandular tissues can show higher concentrations. In people who eat animal foods and little natto, body MK-4 mostly comes from tissue conversion; local γ-carboxylation often uses this short-chain form as substrate.

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Slow wound healing

γ-Carboxylase does not select for chain length; MK-4 can equally activate osteocalcin, which only binds calcium and hydroxyapatite after carboxylation. People whose small cuts crust slowly and keep splitting more often notice healing speed and a smoother scar surface after several continuous weeks.

Osteoporosis

γ-Carboxylase does not select for chain length; MK-4 can equally activate osteocalcin, which only binds calcium and hydroxyapatite after carboxylation. People with low bone density who worry about fracture risk more often notice follow-up scans and confidence moving after several continuous weeks.

With foodBest taken with food (not on an empty stomach)
Best timeMorning or midday
SolubilityFat-soluble

Check the mcg of MK-4 / MK-7 / MK-9 per capsule first.

General wellness120 mcg/day for adult men; 90 mcg/day for adult women (AI)
Specific needsNo official UL; typical adult supplement daily safety upper limit is about 1,000 mcg. people on anticoagulants must not self-adjust, must be decided by a clinician.

How oftenUse the adequate daily intake; anyone on anticoagulants must ask a doctor first.

Cautions

People with cholestasis or fat malabsorption should ask a clinician first.

People on vitamin K antagonists must keep intake stable and follow clinician monitoring.

Interactions

  1. Warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists (intake must stay stable)
Common side effects

· Usual food and supplement amounts are generally well tolerated

Rare but important

· Unstable anticoagulation control may increase thrombosis risk.

Long-term dependenceDoes not cause addiction or typical tolerance.

Sources

These are institution pages you can check—not a certification of this ingredient.

Medical disclaimerThis page is compiled by the HerbBB editorial team for general health information only. It is not a substitute for advice from a doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified clinician. If you have a health condition, take medicines, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak with a professional first.