Summary
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What is Vitamin K2 MK-7?
Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Menaquinone-7) is a form of Vitamin K2, one of the several subtypes of vitamin K. MK-7 is a natural form of vitamin K2 found in high amounts in fermented foods, particularly natto, a Japanese fermented soybean dish.
Vitamin K is essential for the body, primarily known for its role in blood clotting. However, Vitamin K2, especially in its MK-7 form, goes beyond clotting and has several other significant health benefits, including bone, heart and dental health (R).
Compared to other forms of Vitamin K, MK-7 is more bioavailable and has a longer half-life, which means it stays in the body longer, providing more extended benefits (R).
Vitamin K2 MK-7 Impact on Aging and Longevity
Vitamin K2 MK-7 supplementation has significantly decreased the age-related decline in bone mineral density (BMD) and bone strength in healthy postmenopausal women, suggesting that low-dose MK-7 supplements may help prevent bone loss (R).
Another study on elderly female rat femoral tissues indicated that MK-7 stimulates bone formation in vitro, which may prevent bone deterioration with aging (R).
MK-7 was found to protect against age-related structural and cognitive deterioration in naturally aged rats by modulating the Nrf2/NLRP3/caspase-1 axis, highlighting its potential as a candidate for halting the progression of structural and cognitive deterioration in the aged population (R).
High-dose MK-7 supplementation has been shown to reduce cardiovascular calcification in a murine model, suggesting a protective effect against vascular calcification and possibly improving cardiovascular health (R).
MK-7 supplementation improved glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes, indicating a potential role in managing diabetes mellitus (R).
