Vitamina K2 + D3 MenaQ7®

Yamamoto® Research’s Vitamin K2 + D3 is a high-dose vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 dietary supplement that can be used in all cases of increased need or decreased intake of these vitamins. Vitamin D3 is essential for supporting bone and tooth health, while promoting the immune system and preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease, while vitamin K2 facilitates normal blood clotting and the maintenance of healthy bones.

Vitamin K2 + D3 uses the patented and clinically proven form of vitamin K2-MK7 'MenaQ7®', which has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and bone health.

Vitamin K2 has several functions in the body. First and foremost, it activates MGP (Matrix Gla Protein), which binds with circulating calcium in the blood and prevents it from precipitating as crystals in the arterial wall, thus preventing the formation of atheromatous plaques. In addition, vitamin K2 stimulates osteocalcin, a protein that promotes the adhesion of calcium to bone tissue and teeth, making them stronger and more resilient. It is found in foods such as dairy products, eggs, meat and some types of green leafy vegetables.

The combination with vitamin D3 makes the supplement even more effective in supporting bone and dental health.

Vitamin D is normally produced by the body as a result of exposure to sunlight and although we synthesise about 80% of the vitamin D we need through skin exposed to the sun, it is often not possible to get enough exposure. Not only do we spend most of our time indoors (office, school or home) but also food sources of vitamin D do not guarantee optimal values and, although we tend to consider vitamin D only for bone health, in actual fact this vitamin is important for many aspects of health. It is a 'para-hormone' that acts on organs and systems just like a hormone. Vitamin D is essential for the skeletal system, stimulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and is essential for keeping bones and teeth healthy. Found in almost 3,000 genes in the body and with receptors distributed throughout the body, it goes without saying that Vitamin D is involved in a great many processes that affect our well-being.

What are the symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency? And of Vitamin K deficiency?**

Vitamin D deficiency can cause a number of symptoms and health problems, including:

• Muscle weakness;
• Muscle and joint pain;
• Tiredness and fatigue;
• Reduced wound healing capacity;
• Depression;
• Loss of bone density and osteoporosis;
• Increased risk of bone fractures;
• Decrease in the immune system’s capacity to fight infections.

Vitamin D deficiency can also be associated with an increased risk of certain chronic diseases.

Vitamin K deficiency, on the other hand, can cause:

• Osteoporosis or brittle bones;
• Arterial calcification;
• Excessive bleeding and weak teeth;
• Growth problems.

For whom is Vitamin D3 50 mcg recommended?

Vitamin K2 + D3 intake can be advisable for several categories of people, including:

• People with an increased risk of osteoporosis or bone fractures, like menopausal women, the elderly or people with conditions that can weaken bones.

• People with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, for example those with risk factors like hypertension, high cholesterol or diabetes.

• People with intestinal malabsorption or conditions that affect nutrient absorption.

• People on restrictive diets or vegetarian/vegan diets, who may not be getting the required amounts of vitamin K2 and D3.

What is the difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3? Are they the same thing?

The main difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3 is their origin and chemical form.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in two main forms: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is mainly found in plant sources, while vitamin D3 is found in animal sources and is produced naturally by the skin in response to UVB sunlight.

Vitamin D3 is considered to be the most effective form of vitamin D, because it has a greater affinity for the vitamin D receptors in the body and is converted to the active form more easily than vitamin D2. Moreover, vitamin D3 supplements are generally more effective in increasing vitamin D levels in the blood than vitamin D2.

How do vitamins K and K2 differ?

Vitamin K2, or menaquinone, is a fat-soluble vitamin belonging to the K vitamin group. This family of vitamins includes:

• vitamin K1, phylloquinone, which is found in plants and is then converted to K2 (it is therefore the least effective form, because it must be converted to the active form in order to ensure a meaningful action);

• vitamin K2, which exists in two forms: MK-4 (found in meat, eggs and dairy products) and MK-7 (found in grass-fed meat, fermented soya beans, yoghurt and kefir) and is more bioavailable and rapidly utilised by the body;

• vitamin K3, of synthetic origin, which is useful for regulating blood clotting.

The K2 MK-7 form is therefore the optimum form for a food supplement formulation that is natural and highly bioavailable.

What does MenaQ7® certification mean?

MenaQ7® is the patented, clinically tested form of vitamin K2 produced by the company NattoPharma, which has developed a patented manufacturing process to obtain a highly bioavailable, high-quality form of vitamin K2-MK7. MenaQ7® certification guarantees that the vitamin K2-MK7 in dietary supplements has been produced according to the highest safety and quality standards and has undergone rigorous purity, potency and stability testing. MenaQ7® certification also guarantees that vitamin K2-MK7 has undergone clinical studies to prove its efficacy and safety for human use.

Scientific references

Knapen MHJ, Drummen NE, Smit E, et al. Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2013 Sep;24(9):2499-507. doi: 10.1007/s00198-013-2325-6. Epub 2013 Mar 23. PMID: 23525894.

Vermeer C, Braam L. Role of K vitamins in the regulation of tissue calcification. J Bone Miner Metab. 2008;26(9):73-79. doi: 10.1007/s00774-008-0020-6. PMID: 18648931.

Shea MK, Booth SL, Massaro JM, et al. Vitamin K and vitamin D status: associations with inflammatory markers in the Framingham Offspring Study. Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Dec 1;168(11):1169-78. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwn224. Epub 2008 Oct 9. PMID: 18845877; PMCID: PMC2727204.

Beulens JW, Bots ML, Atsma F, et al. High dietary menaquinone intake is associated with reduced coronary calcification. Atherosclerosis. 2009 Apr;203(2):489-93. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2008.07.010. Epub 2008 Jul 19. PMID: 18722618.

Shiraki M, Shiraki Y, Aoki C, et al. Vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) effectively prevents fractures and sustains lumbar bone mineral density in osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Res. 2000 Mar;15(3):515-21. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.2000.15.3.515. PMID: 10713906.