Jarrow Formulas® MK-7 (menaquinone-7) is an extract from non-GMO soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilus natto. Vitamin K2 (menaquinones) is found in meat, eggs, and dairy products and is made by bacteria in the human gut, which provides a certain amount of the human vitamin K requirement.¹ Vitamin K2 remains biologically active in the body far longer than K1.² In contrast with the MK-4 form of vitamin K2, MK-7 is absorbed more slowly and is available to the body for longer and at higher levels.

The Rotterdam Heart Study, a large-scale, controlled clinical trial that tracked 4,807 participants for seven years, revealed that participants who ingested the greatest quantities of vitamin K2 experienced a better cardiovascular condition than people who ingested the least.³ High intake of vitamin K2 also corresponded to less calcium deposition in the aorta, whereas participants who consumed less K2 were more likely to show moderate or severe calcification.

Vitamin K functions as a cofactor for an enzyme responsible for carboxylation of specific bone proteins such as osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein (MGP), an inhibitor of vascular calcification.⁴ Impairment of the function of osteocalcin and MGP due to incomplete carboxylation results in an increased risk for low bone density and vascular calcification, respectively.⁵ Studies in which menaquinone-7 was used to counteract arterial calcification have determined that menaquinone-7 was more potent than menaquinone-4.

Benefits at a Glance

• Remains active in the body longer than other forms of vitamin K
• Supports vascular health
• Supports bone health