Natto: Substantial MenaQ7 Study Publishes
OSLO, NORWAY and METUCHEN, NJ (August 18th, 2015) – Nattopharma proudly announces that another important study utilizing its MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7 as the source material, has been published in the Polish Archives of Internal Medicine. The study, “Effect of vitamin K2 on progression of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification in nondialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease stage 35”, was published online ahead of print in July 2015.
Atherosclerosis and vascular calcification are common complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and significant risk factors for cardiovascular incidence and mortality. Additionally, a high prevalence of suboptimal levels of vitamin K in patients with CKD stage 3 to 5 was found. With observational studies showing that high dietary vitamin K2 intake is associated with reduced risk of coronary vascular disease and vascular calcification, researchers sought to examine the effects of Vitamin K2 supplementation with a low-dose vitamin D, as well as the effect of vitamin D alone.
Researchers at the Medical University of Lodz (Poland), in conjunction with VitaK (Maastricht University, The Netherlands) and the International Science and Health Foundation (Poland), conducted this prospective randomized intervention study and assessed the impact of 90 mcg of vitamin K2 as MK-7 (as MenaQ7®) supplementation, vitamin D and K2 supplementation, and vitamin D supplementation alone (through 270 days) on the progression of atherosclerosis and calcification markers in non-dialyzed 3 to 5 stage CKD patients.
The following measurements were taken at baseline and after 270±12 days of supplementation 90 mcg vitamin K2 (menaquinone, MK-7, MenaQ7®) with 10 mcg cholecalciferol (K+D group) or 10 mcg cholecalciferol (group D) in 42 nondialyzed CKD patients: Common Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CCAIMT), Coronary Artery Calcification Score (CACS), serum mineral parameters, lipids, as well as the calcification modulators: matrix Gla protein (MGP), desphosphorylateduncarboxylated MGP (dpucMGP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), fetuin A, osteocalcin (OC) and fibroblast grown factor 23 (FGF23).
The progression of CACS in patients who received vitamin K2 was less than in the control group; however, the change was relatively small and only borderline significant probably due to too short observation period, low dose of vitamin K2, small group of patients and a wide range of coronary artery calcification (CAC) at baseline that is typical for patients with CKD. Furthermore, in this study the regression and stabilization of CACS was noticed in a few patients supplemented with MK-7, such effect was not observed in control group (vitamin D only group).
Vitamin K2 significantly changed the pattern of promoters and calcification inhibitors undercarboxylated/inactive matrix Gla protein (MGP), osteocalcin (OC), and osteoprotegerin (OPG), but failed to affect the progression of coronary artery calcification in CKD patients over the treatment period.
This study showed that the supplementation with vitamin K2 slowed significantly the progression of Common Carotid Intima Media Thickness, a good indicator of atherosclerosis and a powerful and well-established predictor of cardiovascular episodes and death in general and in CKD population.
The protective effect of vitamin K2 on progression of vessels damage would be associated with concomitant changes in the serum levels of calcification inhibitors like vitamin K-dependent proteins: osteocalcin (OC) and matrix GLA protein (MGP).
The researchers concluded that “a 270-day course of 90 mcg of vitamin K2 as MK-7 administration may reduce the progression of atherosclerosis. Vitamin K2 significantly changed the pattern of promoters and calcification inhibitors inactive MGP, OC and OPG, but failed to affect the progression of coronary artery calcification in CKD patients over the treatment period.”
“Vitamin K2 activates MGP, the most potent inhibitor of vascular calcification, which we attribute to the promising results of this study. This study not only marks a new evolution to our understanding of Vitamin K2,” says Dr. Hogne Vik, NattoPharma ASA CEO, “but provides hope for CKD patients, who are burdened by vascular calcification complications.
”Importantly, this study provides further validation that MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7 supplementation inhibits the progression of cardiovascular circumstances that hinder healthy lives,” Dr. Vik continues. “The difference this can make to the global population is invaluable.”
Reference:
Kurnatowska I, Grzelak P, Masajtis Zagajewska A, Kaczmarska M, Stefańczyk L, Vermeer C, Maresz K, Nowicki M. Effect of vitamin K2 on progression of atherosclerosis and vascular calcification in nondialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease stage 35. Pol Arch Med Wewn. 2015 Jul 15. pii: AOP_15_066. [Epub ahead of print]
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About MenaQ7®
MenaQ7® is the best documented, commercially available natural vitamin K2 with guaranteed actives and stability, clinical substantiation and international patents granted and pending. For more information on the health benefits of MenaQ7, visit menaq7.com.
About NattoPharma
NattoPharma USA, Inc. is the wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of NattoPharma ASA, Norway, which is the world’s leader in vitamin K2 research and development. NattoPharma is the exclusive international supplier of MenaQ7®, the natural vitamin K2 as MK-7, and the company has been in a multi-year research and development program to substantiate and discover the health benefits of natural vitamin K2 for applications in the marketplace for functional food and dietary supplements. For more information, visit nattopharma.com.
For more information, please contact:
Hogne Vik, CEO
NattoPharma ASA
Cell phone: +47 97 53 53 26
E-mail: hogne.vik@nattopharma.com
Kate Quackenbush, Director of Communications
NattoPharma USA, Inc.
Phone: 609-643-0749
E-mail: kate.quackenbush@nattopharma.com
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