Vitamin K2 can tackle neuroinflammation and degeneration, study finds

Published: 7-May-2024
Ingredients Cognitive

The study highlights how vitamin K2 supports healthy cognitive function through a reduction in gene expression associated with inflammation and degeneration in the brain

Andrea Fuso, PhD, a 15-year research collaborator with Gnosis by Lesaffre focusing on cognitive health, has expanded his area of study to include Vitamin K2 in neurological support, publishing a new study highlighting K2’s role in neurological protection. 

The study, published in Cells, identifies a link between supplemental K2 and neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, pointing to K2’s potential role as a supplement for support of healthy brain and cognitive function.

 

Supporting neurological function with K2

In the new study1, Fuso, Associate Professor in Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, examined K2 as menaquinone-7 (in a reduced form) along with K2 menaquinone-4 on a model of neuroblastoma cells to determine how forms of K2 affect the expression of genes involved in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation.

Vitamin K2 administration was found to support neurological function by creating a favourable balance of activity, reducing the expression of genes associated with neurodegeneration (PSEN1 and BACE1) and neuroinflammation (IL-1β and IL-6), while simultaneously upregulating genes that protect against amyloid formation (ADAM10 and ADAM17).

Additionally, the team also profiled the DNA methylation patterns of the genes and discovered a correlation between hypermethylation and the downregulation of PSEN1, IL-1β, and IL-6.

This new mechanistic study supports earlier work discussing K2’s roles in Alzheimer’s via gut dysbiosis.[2]

Summarising his research, Dr Fuso commented: “Our earlier studies highlighted the role of B vitamins and SAMe as dietary factors connecting nutrition with the epigenetic modulation of brain disease. Now, we introduce research on a new compound crucial for cognition: Vitamin K2.”

“Our 15-year collaboration with Dr Fuso and his team has resulted in a growing body of evidence demonstrating how ingredients of natural origin [e.g., SAMe and vitamin K2 (as MK-7)] significantly impact the function of the brain and cognitive activity.” Says Jean-François Jeanne, Substantiation and Applications Manager at Gnosis by Lesaffre.

 

Reference

1 Fuso et al. “Amyloidogenic and Neuroinflammatory Molecular Pathways Are Contrasted Using Menaquinone

  • Companies:
  • Gnosis by Lesaffre
See more

You may also like

Training & Education

Gnosis by Lesaffre's Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee share this year's findings

Read more
In the K2SAC's third meeting, experts discussed the potential of vitamin K2 in healthy ageing and cognitive health, while also looking at necessary future endeavours

Trending Articles

  1. Kerry debuts 2025 health and nutrition report in collaboration with over 100 industry experts The company forecasts the trends that the nutraceutical, functional food and supplement industries may see in the upcoming year
  2. Brevel completes construction of industrial-scale microalgae fermentation plant The fermentation plant will be able to produce microalgae-derived proteins for the functional food and nutrition markets at an industrial scale
  3. HTBA showcases the power of flavonoids at Fi Europe The nutraceutical and functional beverage provider will display its range of products for active nutrition and cognitive health, while also showcasing its flavour modulation abilities
  4. Astaxanthin gives athletes the edge Natural astaxanthin is an excellent nutrient for athletes and active people; it can help them in several important ways
  5. Degradation of vitamins, probiotics and other active ingredients caused by exposure to heat, water and sunlight Vitamins and probiotics (and other active ingredients) can be substantially affected by exposure to heat, water and/or sunlight

Upcoming event

Fi Europe 2024

19-21 November 2024 | Exhibition | Frankfurt, Germany See all

You may also like

Training & Education

Gnosis by Lesaffre's Vitamin K2 Scientific Advisory Committee share this year's findings

In the K2SAC's third meeting, experts discussed the potential of vitamin K2 in healthy ageing and cognitive health, while also looking at necessary future endeavours
Ingredients

Vitamin K2, calcium and vitamin D as the holy trifecta for bone health

With World Osteoporosis Day approaching, Gnosis by Lesaffre highlights the importance of vitamin K2 in bone health
Ingredients

How folate promotes healthy motherhood

Women who want to have a baby need to take folate — not folic acid — as this B vitamin form skips a key process that may be impaired in those who have a genetic mutation affecting the amount of folic acid they absorb and utilise
Ingredients

Vitamin K2 and folate supplementation enhance cognitive health in older adults, study finds

Vitamin K2 and folate intake are associated with enhanced cognition though, alarmingly, 75% of the US population were lacking in serum K2 in a NHANES 2003-2006 study
Ingredients

LifeinU BSCU1: embrace your health now and for the future

New biotics solutions are flooding the market to capitalise on the ever-changing immunity seeking consumer. However, one probiotic solution, LifeinU® BSCU1 from Gnosis by Lesaffre, has not only shown proven efficacy for immune support, but exciting new evidence confirms its protective role for immunity and beyond
Ingredients

SAMe holds promise for depression, studies find

Two novel studies have suggested S-Adenosylmethionine (SAMe) could be a beneficial monotherapy for patients with depression
Ingredients

SunWay Biotech and Gnosis by Lesaffre form alliance to launch MenaQ7 Metabolic

The novel product will be aimed at the lucrative vitamin K2 market
Subscribe now