Vitamin K2 (MK-4); MK-4, 1.3%, Powder (Cyclodextrin) CAS 863-61-6

Vitamin K2-MK4, or vitamin K2 as menaquinone-4, is a subtype of Vitamin K2. Its structure is characterized by a shorter side chain compared to other menaquinones, such as MK7. The shorter side chain length influences its absorption and metabolism in the body.
It is distinct from other forms of vitamin K2 due to its unique structure with four isoprene units in the side chain, making it more hydrophobic and readily absorbed in the body.
It is known for being rapidly absorbed and utilized by the body but also has a shorter half-life compared to other forms like MK7. This means that it needs to be consumed more frequently to maintain its levels in the body.

As a form of vitamin K2, Vitamin K2-MK4 is understood to have many of the same functions attributed to vitamin K2, including:

Bone Health: Vitamin K2-MK4 plays a pivotal role in bone metabolism. It is essential for the activation of osteocalcin, a protein that binds calcium to the bone matrix, thus contributing to stronger bones and reducing the risk of fractures.

Cardiovascular Health: Vitamin K2 inhibits arterial calcification. By activating Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), it helps prevent calcium deposition in the arteries, thereby supporting cardiovascular health.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Vitamin K2 exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by modulating the expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines, thereby contributing to overall immune health and reducing the risk of chronic inflammatory conditions.

Dental Health: low vitamin K2 levels are associated with the development of periodontal diseases.

Cancer Prevention: Some studies suggest that vitamin K2 may play a role in cancer prevention, particularly in reducing the risk of certain types of cancer such as breast and liver cancers, as well as leukemia and possibly other cancer types. Further research is needed to elucidate its mechanisms and efficacy in this regard.

Vitamin K2-MK4 may also have a role in maintaining cognitive function:

Neurological Health and Cognitive Function: Within the brain, vitamin K2-MK4 influences cellular signaling pathways by promoting the carboxylation of proteins such as growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6) and protein S, which are involved in neuronal survival, synaptic function, and neuroprotection.

Here are some potential anti-ageing benefits of vitamin K2 to help motivate you to start monitoring your intake:

Improves Skin Elasticity: As we age, it is common to have skin conditions like dark spots, stretch marks, scars and varicose veins. Vitamin K2 could help combat such ailments by assisting with cell repair. The skincare industry has caught onto this and has started to synthesise vitamin K for topical applications.

Hormone Balance: One of the main reasons our bodies experience signs of ageing is due to the imminent imbalance of hormones. Including vitamin K benefits through diet is a great way to help supplement this issue. Biochemical hormones, known as cytokines, work through the body in different forms. One of the primary forms is IL-6 which often takes up more space than other cytokines and leads to hormone imbalance. Vitamin K is an anti-inflammatory nutrient that can help reduce symptoms such as inflamed wounds found in our joints (such as knees and elbows).

Cognitive Function: Not only do most of us start to look older as we age, but our cognitive function can start to decline. Ageing brains start to slow down, and we are unable to make logical cognitive decisions as fast as we once could, and we can experience memory loss too. Maintaining recommended vitamin K levels can help increase blood and oxygen supply to the brain, stimulating neuron functions: beneficial for boosting memory power and logical reasoning.

Blood Sugar Levels: We need to have the proper blood sugar levels in our bodies to help them function smoothly. Some of the highest vitamin K anti-inflammatory levels can be found in the pancreas. This means that the amount of vitamin K we consume can hugely impact our body's glucose and insulin levels. Some research has shown vitamin K supports the release and secretion of glucose into the body: which prevents us from experiencing side effects like dizziness, fatigue and sugar rushes.

Supports Heart Health: Vitamin K2 is great for preventing mineral buildup, which can clog up our arteries and blood vessel walls. A heart that can pump blood around our bodies freely is essential to health. Unfortunately, cardiovascular disease is one of the most significant issues men face as they age. Vitamin K2 could help prevent harmful blood clots, reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, vitamin K2 nutrition could help delay the buildup of plaque (a substance composed of fat, cholesterol and calcium) which hardens and can end up blocking arteries when coagulated.

Antioxidant Properties: The anti-ageing benefits of vitamin K2 include its powerful antioxidant properties. Some studies have shown it could be more effective than vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for eliminating free radicals. This includes the potential skin benefits like improving barrier functions, warding off irritants and sealing in moisture, resulting in the body being able to guard against dry, itchy and red skin, which often occurs in ageing.

Vitamin K2 (MK-4) is a group of lipophilic molecules. Forms of vitamin K play an essential role in the activation of specific proteins involved in blood clotting cascade or bone metabolism.
Another molecule belonging to the fat-soluble vitamins group that also plays an important role in calcium metabolism is vitamin D3. The dietary supplements containing vitamins K and D3 are one of the most frequently consumed by patients. The objective of this work was to develop a simple, fast and sensitive thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-densitometric procedure for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of vitamins K and D3 in pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements. The analysis of vitamins was performed on the silica gel RP-18 F₂₅₄s plates with methanol-ethanol-isopropanol in a volume ratio of 15:1:4 as a mobile phase. The densitometric measurements were made at 254 nm. The method was validated by checking the specificity, linearity, precision, recovery, limit of detection, limit of quantification and robustness in accordance with International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.
The method was shown to be specific, accurate (recoveries were from 95.78 to 104.96%), linear over the tested range (correlation coefficient, exceeding 0.99), and precise (precision and intermediate precision RSD below 2.70% for all analytes). The satisfactory results of the validation of the method indicate that it can be used in the quality control of dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products containing vitamins K and D3.

The safety of 45 mg/day of MK4, and even at higher amounts, has been clearly established in published studies. None of the dozens of human studies that have followed more than 7,000 volunteers for up to six years documented any dangerous side effects from taking 45 mg/day of MK4. Furthermore, research has documented the safety in humans of even higher amounts, up to 135 mg/day of MK4, and have studied doses up to 250 mg/kg body weight per day in rats.
These studies concluded that MK4 does not increase the risk for blood clots or other dangerous side effects. To put the animal dose in perspective. If a typical adult is 150 pounds, that would be the same as giving a human more than 17,000 mg MK4, which is nearly 380 times more per day than the 45 mg/day used in the published clinical trials. MK4 is extremely safe, even in very high doses.