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Vitamin · in-depth review

Vitamin K2 (MK-7)

Vitamin K2 (MK-7)

MK-7 is a long-chain menaquinone, high in fermented soy such as natto. Blood half-life can reach several days, so steady intake maintains circulating levels; bone and vessel-wall trials use it often.

Also known asMK-7
Related diseasesOsteoporosis
Related symptomsSlow wound healing

Marked asPrimarySupporting

Primary

Promotes bone mineralization

Seven isoprene units let MK-7 stay bound to lipoproteins longer, so it more readily reaches osteoblast carboxylase and osteocalcin can bind hydroxyapatite. Natto is the food champion; some hard cheeses also have it. People who eat little fermented soy have almost no measurable MK-7 in blood.

Primary

Protects vessel walls

After carboxylation in vascular smooth muscle, matrix Gla protein can bind surplus calcium crystals. Long circulation time lets MK-7 reach vessel walls more readily; natto or fermented-soy extract softgels are the everyday door for this form, and MGP can only bind surplus calcium after carboxylation is complete.

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Slow wound healing

Seven isoprene units let MK-7 stay bound to lipoproteins longer, so it more readily reaches osteoblast carboxylase and osteocalcin can bind hydroxyapatite. People whose small cuts crust slowly and keep splitting more often notice healing speed and a smoother scar surface after several continuous weeks.

Osteoporosis

Seven isoprene units let MK-7 stay bound to lipoproteins longer, so it more readily reaches osteoblast carboxylase and osteocalcin can bind hydroxyapatite. 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.