A new pilot study from the University of Copenhagen published in the International Journal of Nephrology and Renovascular Disease has revealed that vitamin K2 supplementation promises to be more effective in improving vitamin K status than a vitamin K-rich diet in individuals who are susceptible to vitamin K deficiency.
The pilot study was conducted on individuals with chronic kidney disease and is the first of its kind to compare the effect of vitamin K supplementation with diet alone, and Kappa Bioscience supplied its vitamin K2 MK-7 solution (K2VITAL DELTA) to be used as the active ingredient tested. This pilot study is informative for future studies and presents a potential opportunity for manufacturers to further innovate in the vitamin K space.
Vitamin K2 supplements vs a vitamin K-rich diet
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a key role in blood clotting, cardiovascular and bone health via activation of two important proteins, respectively - matrix Gla protein (MGP) and osteocalcin (OC). Insufficient levels of vitamin K can lead to an increased risk of bone fractures and vascular calcifications, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease – thus adequate vitamin K status is vital. To explore the effect of vitamin K supplementation versus a vitamin K-rich diet on the status of the nutrient, this latest study investigated the impact of both interventions in twelve Danish patients undergoing hemodialysis for chronic kidney disease – as individuals suffering with this disease are at a higher risk of vitamin K deficiency.
This study was a prospective randomised crossover intervention trial with two arms: 6 weeks of daily 360 µg MK-7 supplement produced and provided by Kappa Bioscience and 6 weeks of a vitamin K rich diet with a 3-week washout period in between. In the vitamin K rich diet arm, the focus was on foods containing mostly phylloquinone (vitamin K1) and some menaquinones (vitamin K2).
Plasma concentrations of dephosphorylated undercarboxylated MGP, undercarboxylated OC and total MGP were measured pre- and post-intervention to determine vitamin K status.
The results demonstrated that the vitamin K2 MK-7 intervention evoked a significant reduction in plasma concentrations of inactive MGP and inactive OC, indicative of increased levels of vitamin K. Meanwhile, the vitamin K-rich diet intervention did not lead to any significant changes in these parameters. Furthermore, participants of the trial noted that taking the supplement was easier than altering their diets, with 40% of participants rating the dietary intervention as difficult or very difficult, compared to 0% for the vitamin K2 MK-7 intervention period.
“This randomised, crossover study may have been small, but the findings suggest that diet alone is not enough to correct vitamin K levels in individuals with chronic kidney disease,” said Ditte Hansen, Associate Professor and Specialist in Nephrology at the University of Copenhagen. “The pilot study provides promising insights for future developments in the vitamin K space, and suggests that for those who are susceptible to inadequate levels of vitamin K, supplementation may be of importance.”
Lena Leder, Manager Science and Content at Kappa Bioscience, added: “While we generally advise a healthy diet first and foremost, diet alone may not be enough to help individuals who are susceptible to vitamin K deficiency achieve a healthy vitamin K status. We believe this pilot study highlights the potential of addressing the growing global vitamin K gap through supplementation and we’re excited that the participants of this study remarked that they found it easier to take tablets rather than altering their diet.”
The DELTA difference
Kappa Bioscience’s K2VITAL DELTA is a proprietary microencapsulated K2 solution, and a cutting-edge innovation in the vitamin K space. An all-trans bioactive form of vitamin K2 MK-7, it offers unmatched stability in formulations with 99.7% isomeric purity.