In the past year alone, multiple high-impact studies confirmed its ability to support cardiovascular health through several complementary mechanisms, cementing K2’s reputation as a true multitasking nutrient.
And with 2026 already poised to deliver even more compelling findings, the momentum behind K2 research shows no signs of slowing, writes Clarisse Geraci (pictured), Product Manager at Gnosis by Lesaffre.
Several studies have demonstrably linked high amounts of inactive MGP (Matrix Gla Protein) to low vitamin K status, which is a critical cardiovascular risk factor.
Previous clinical trials with MenaQ7® K2 as MK-7 have shown improved vitamin K status owing to increased active MGP.1,2
This is important because population studies have determined that, overall, people are not ingesting enough K2.
Because vitamin K2 activates calcium-regulating proteins, long-term supplementation has been shown to improve markers associated with cardiovascular risk.
In postmenopausal women, 3 years of supplementation with 180 µg/day of MK-7 (MenaQ7) improved arterial stiffness.3
These findings were supported by a subsequent one-year study in women and men with low extrahepatic vitamin K status in which MK-7 supplementation attenuated age-related vascular stiffening.4
2025: a banner year for K2 and heart health research
Overall, 2025 was a strong year for vitamin K2 research, with nine scientific deliverables involving authors affiliated with Gnosis and MenaQ7, including two peer-reviewed clinical manuscripts, two reviews, four conference presentations and one specialist industry article.
Collectively, these publications strengthened the clinical evidence for vitamin K2 in cardiovascular, metabolic, bone and brain health, reinforcing MenaQ7’s position as the most scientifically documented vitamin K2 ingredient on the market.
A recent post-hoc analysis of the one-year study looked at the pre-, peri- and postmenopausal female participants with low vitamin K2 status.
The results showed that one year of MK-7 supplementation significantly reduced vascular stiffness and improved blood pressure in postmenopausal women.5,6 This was the first confirmation of the blood pressure benefit.
Also in 2025, initial results of the highly anticipated VitaK-CAC Trial were published.
The first findings showed that a 2-year period of supplementation with MenaQ7 K2 can arrest the progression of coronary artery calcification (CAC) by 22% in participants with mild-to-moderate coronary artery disease (irrespective of blood pressure status).
There was also a discernible trend of this benefit seen at one year. Additionally, MenaQ7 increased MGP activation and circulating vitamin K2 levels in the blood.7
Where is K2 research headed?
Based on the mounting evidence that vitamin K2 as MenaQ7 protects heart function, researchers associated with Gnosis are exploring how the cardiovascular-protective mechanisms are also involved in neurological function and metabolism.
For example, in 2025, a review concluded that heart-support function favourably impacts brain function.
Based on previous studies demonstrating vitamin K2’s ability to mitigate arterial calcification, researchers have found that it may also inhibit cognitive impairment through this mechanism — which links vascular function to cognitive performance.
The authors commented that “cognitive dysfunction, which is prevalent in ageing populations, may be partially explained by increased arterial stiffness and calcification.”8
Another review, published in summer 2025, examined how vitamin K2 may induce epigenetic effects as an emerging area of research through the modulation of DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNA expression, thereby impacting brain function and neurodegeneration.9
The horizon for vitamin K2 research and exploration is vast and new developments will be revealed in 2026 and beyond.
References
- E. Theuwissen, et al., Br. J. Nutr. 108(9), 1652–1657 (2012).
- E. Theuwissen, et al, Food Funct. 5(2), 229–234 (2014).
- M.H.J. Knapen, et al., Throm Haemost. 113(5), 1135–1144 (2015).
- C. Vermeer and H. Vik, Vasc. Dis. Ther. 5, 1–4 (2020).
- F. de Vries, et al., Nutrients 17(5), 815 (2025).
- L.M. Vossen, et al., Explor. Med. 6, 1001321 (2025).
- L.M. Vossen, et al., J. Hypertension 43(Suppl. 1), e18 (2025).
- S. Roumeliotis, et al., Front. Aging Neurosci. 16, 1527535 (2025).
- S. Roumeliotis, et al., Epigenomics 17(10), 681–690 (2025).
