Life Extension Low Dose Vitamin K2, 45 mcg, 90 softgels

Vitamin K is required by matrix Gla-protein (MGP) and other calcium-regulating proteins in yLife Extension's arteries. MGP needs vitamin K to function properly. Without sufficient vitamin K, inactive MGP can build up in yLife Extension's arteries, allowing calcium to bind to the arterial wall.¹

Long-lasting vitamin K2 menaquinones

Vitamin K2 (a group of related compounds called menaquinones) is found in meat, eggs and dairy products. K2 is also made to some extent by bacteria in the human gut, which provides a certain amount of yLife Extension's vitamin K requirement.²Still, vitamin K supplementation is a good idea, and K2 is an ideal choice.

Vitamin K in clinical studies

Human studies show that vitamin K2 is up to 10 times more bioavailable than K1. Plus, vitamin K2 remains biologically active in the body far longer than K1.^4,5 For instance, yLife Extension's liver filters vitamin K1 out of yLife Extension's system within eight hLife Extension'ss. But measurable levels of K2 (MK-7) have been detected 72 hLife Extension'ss later.⁶

The Rotterdam Heart Study, a large-scale, well-controlled clinical trial that tracked 4,800 participants for seven years, revealed that participants who ingested the greatest quantities of vitamin K2 in their diet experienced better cardiovascular health than people who ingested the least.⁷ High intakes of vitamin K2 also corresponded with lower levels of calcium accumulation in the aorta.

Other studies support K2’s role in promoting arterial health—a clinical trial in postmenopausal women showed that MK-7 supported a 50 percent improvement in inactive MGP levels and improved arterial flexibility.²