Exploring the Benefits of Vitamin K

Vitamin K: Essential for Bone & Heart Health*

Never heard of vitamin K? You’re not alone. Similar to vitamins such as E and A, vitamin K is actually a group of fat-soluble vitamins, with K-1 (phylloquinone) and K-2 (a family of menaquinones) being the most relevant for human health.* Vitamin K is an essential nutrient for optimal health.*

What Foods Contain Vitamin K?

Vitamin K-1 is found in a wide variety of green, leafy vegetables due to its role in photosynthesis, and converted within the body to K-2, but can also be converted to K-2 by microbial fermentation. Vitamin K-2 is produced by bacteria, including some of the probiotic bacteria found in the human intestinal tract.

The Vital Roles of Vitamin K in the Body

Vitamin K is important for a few critical enzymatic functions in the body.* It’s necessary for normal coagulation, or clotting, of blood, as well as for the proper transport and storage of calcium throughout the body.* Vitamin K is therefore important for bone health, a role only recently identified through research.* In particular, it’s been shown to play a pivotal role in vascular elasticity.*

Spotlight on MK-4 and MK-7: Specialized Forms

Vitamin K-2, or menaquinone, has a number of subtypes, but researchers have focused on two particular subtypes – menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Unlike MK-4, which is produced by conversion of vitamin K-1 in the pancreas and other organs, MK-7 is not synthesized in human tissue. Recent studies indicate it may be produced by intestinal bacteria from vitamin K-1 (phylloquinone), but more research is needed. Since the MK-7 subtype has been found to have benefits for both skeletal and cardiovascular health, a supplemental form is ideal for obtaining this important but little-known nutrient until more research is available.*

As a trusted supplement brand, NOW^® uses Mena Q7^® MK-7, a readily active and bioavailable form of Vitamin K, an essential vitamin necessary for optimal health.* MenaQ7^® is the best clinically documented Vitamin K2 in the market, used as the source material for 22+ published human clinical studies, and the only vitamin K2 as MK-7 clinically proven for both bone and heart health.* It is non-GMO, Kosher and Halal certified, and free of 9 common allergens.

High-Quality Vitamin K Supplements from NOW

Since 1968, NOW has been a pioneer in empowering individuals to lead healthier lives with our award-winning dietary supplements and natural products. Choosing NOW means selecting a high-quality vitamin K supplement from one of the industry's oldest and most respected natural manufacturers.

Our commitment to quality is unwavering. We maintain long-standing relationships with the world’s top ingredient suppliers, ensuring that only premium quality ingredients are used in all NOW products, including our science-forward vitamin K supplements. This dedication to excellence is matched by our state-of-the-art, in-house laboratory facilities and a team of nutritional experts who are focused on maintaining our industry-leading standards.

Trust NOW for all your vitamin K needs, and experience the difference that high-quality, rigorously tested supplements can make!