Vitamin K2 Benefits for Bone, Cardiovascular, Energy Metabolism, and More

Vitamin K is found in two forms. Most are aware of Vitamin K1 which is found in dark, leafy greens. It helps with healthy blood clotting – helping to make sure the blood is neither too thick or too thin.

Vitamin K2 is found in eggs, organ meats, and dairy products.

Most recommendations about the amount of vitamin K needed for health benefits are limited to its benefits for healthy blood clotting. To experience benefits for bone, cardiovascular health, energy metabolism, and more, more dosage is needed.

Vitamin K1 is generally sufficient in most diets. Concerns for Vitamin K1 usually center around getting too much of it and potentially interfering with blood thinning medication. K1 is usually readily available to meet clotting needs in the liver.

For whole body health, Vitamin K2 is much more useful. The articles below discuss the wide-ranging benefits of Vitamin K2 for whole-body health. 

The best form of vitamin K2 is Vitamin K2-7 (MK-7; menaquinone-7). This is a “longer-chain” version of K2 that stays in the body for a longer period of time than other forms.

Because it stays in the body for 24-72 hours, it is more available to activate vitamin K2-dependent proteins throughout the whole body – and that is how you get such wide-reaching benefits beyond bone health!

Those taking blood thinning medications should have their PT/INR checked routinely by their physician if taking K2. Vitamin K1 is not recommended for those on blood-thinning medications.

• A healthy microbiome (good level and diversity of bacteria) in the gut will also supply some K2-7.
  • My favorite probiotic supplements include Megasporebiotic by Microbiome Labs, TrubifidoPRO by Master Supplement, and Theralac by Master Supplements, Inc..
• For K2 supplementation, I use Vitamin K2 (MK7) by Doctor Alex Supplements, Megaquinone K2-7 by Microbiome Labs OR preferably with the synergy found in Vitamin ADK Complete.