MenaQ7® brand Vitamin K2 Shown More Potent than K1in New Human Study

3rd April 2013 Oslo, Norway.  NattoPharma announces today the publication of a new study on its proprietary MenaQ-7™ brand of Natural Vitamin K2 standardized to MK-7 content.  In the human trial, MenaQ7™ was shown to be a potent inhibitor of anticoagulant activity, a strong indicator of the protective benefits of natural K2 for vitamin k-dependent proteins. Interestingly, in this trial, vitamin K2 was shown to be much more potent than K1. The study is accepted for publication by the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis, a leading journal with a significant Impact Factor of 5.73, and is now available online. (doi: 10.1111/jth.12203)

In the study the efficacy of menaquinone-7 (MK-7, brand name MenaQ7) was tested in healthy volunteers. The original vitamin K levels were decreased by giving them a daily dose of a vitamin K-antagonist (VKA). VKA treatment resulted in the production of undercarboxylated (i.e. inactive) forms of coagulation factors, osteocalcin and matrix Gla-protein (MGP). Subsequently the participants received increasing doses of MK-7, and it was monitored how the various proteins regained activity.

Consistent with a similar previous study - in which much higher doses were used - the researchers found that also low daily intake of MK-7 normalized the coagulation system, and that higher doses were required for also normalizing osteocalcin and MGP synthesis.

It is concluded that patients using VKA as oral anticoagulant medicines should not take MK-7 supplements without consulting their hematologist. This is common practice for intake of all forms of vitamin K, and has been adviced to every consumer of MenaQ7 using VKA. A second conclusion is that MK-7 has a much higher potency than other forms of vitamin K that are commercially available. This holds true for proteins synthesized in the liver (clotting factors), bone (osteocalcin) and vessel wall (MGP).

MK-7 is the preferred form of vitamin K for those who want to optimize bone and vascular health. This paper demonstrates that this option should be used also for patients using oral anticoagulant medication – after consulting their GP.

The study showed significant results at doses of just 10mcg daily. A previous dose-escalating study in healthy volunteers indicated that the threshold dose for vitamin k1 was 150 mcg/day.

• ”This paper describes the action of vitamin K interfering with oral anticoagulants, a known activity”, says Dr. Cees Vermeer of the VitaK laboratory at Maastricht University“.
• “Vitamin K2’s benefits in activating the vitamin K-dependent proteins, including prothrombin for blood-clotting, osteocalcin for healthy bones, and matrix Gla-protein for healthy arteries better than any other vitamin K compounds, including vitamin K1. The published data from Maastricht University clearly confirm that once more that MenaQ7 is more bioavailable than other available vitamin K’s and represents the most potent form of vitamin K2”, says CEO in NattoPharma Hogne Vik.
• “This study builds upon the ever growing body of evidence that Vitamin K2 is an essential co-factor in activating proteins that the body needs for healthy bones and cardiovascular system,” says Chairman of the Board in NattoPharma Frode Marc Bohan.
• “The fact that Professor Martin Shearer, the ‘godfather of vitamin K detection’ and Hugo ten Cate, who is a leading hematologist, are co-authors of the paper, underlines the scientific quality of the publication and will support the visibility and the importance of vitamin K2 and MenaQ7. We will utilize these findings - together with our customers and partners - to improve our commercial platform in food, supplements and pharma markets,” says Director of the Board in NattoPharma Frank Bjordal

The study was executed by VitaK (Maastricht University, The Netherlands) and funded by NattoPharma ASA, Hovik, Norway).

The study is available here: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jth.12203/abstract

About MenaQ7®

MenaQ7® and MenaQ7® Crystals™ provide natural vitamin K2 as a manufactured fermentation extract. This process generates a highly pure and bio-available form of vitamin K2, menaquinone-7(MK-7). MenaQ7® is well documented, commercially available and guaranteed an active and stable Vitamin K2. Nattopharma holds several granted and pending patents that protect the use of K vitamins.

About NattoPharma

NattoPharma ASA, Norway is an international biotechnology company and exclusive supplier of MenaQ7®, the natural vitamin K2. NattoPharma has since 2007 been in an exclusive research and development collaboration with VitaK, University in Maastricht, The Netherlands, working to substantiate the health benefits of natural vitamin K2.

For more information, please contact:
Hogne Vik
CEO
Cell phone: +47 97 53 53 26
E-mail: hogne@nattopharma.com

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