Vitamin K2 Strengthens Post Menopausal Bones

26 April 2007

Daily supplements of Vitamin K2 maintain hipbone strength and boost bone mineral content in postmenopausal women, new research shows.

The double-blind, placebo controlled study in the Netherlands followed 325 healthy women with no osteoporosis for three years and backs up research showing Vitamin K1 (found in leafy greens) supports bone health. Those in the study taking a placebo showed evidence of weakened bones.

The Bone Health Prescription

• Vit K 1 (Recommendation: eat spinach, lettuce, collards, broccoli and cabbage at least three times a week) makes up about 90 per cent of the Vit K in a typical Western diet; while the actives found in Vit K2 make up about 10 per cent.


• Vit K2 actives are found in animal meat, fermented foods like cheese and natto, a Japanese fermented soybean derivative which is an acquired taste. For that reason, it is probably easier for most women to take Vit K2 as a supplement – brand names include Nattokinase or Natto K2 - rather than try and source it from their daily food.


• Previous studies have also shown a total approach to bone health is best – by combining calcium, and Vitamins D and K, rather than taking only one. Very few calcium products – about 6 out of 100 of the leading brands - contain all the additional nutrients required.


• Supplementing for bone loss is recommended for both men and women in mid and later years; new research shows more men are also suffering osteoporosis in later life.

Study Dose 45mgs Daily

The results of the new study, published in the journal Osteoporosis International, gave daily Vit K2 doses of 45 mg per day (capsules of 15 mg, three times per day), or placebo to the group, (average age 66).

At the end of the study, the researchers report no effect was observed on bone mineral density (BMD), but significant improvements were observed for compression, bending, and impact strengths, femoral neck width, and hip axis length compared to placebo.

The authors noted: "This makes K2 an interesting compound for combination therapy with other food supplements (calcium, vitamin D)… with known effect on bone mineral density."

They also said that it would be desirable to evaluate the cost-benefits of supplementation to all postmenopausal women, but the optimal dose, and synergistic effects with calcium and vitamin D needs further research.

Osteoporosis is estimated to affect about 75m people in Europe, the USA and Japan..

Source: Osteoporosis International
Published on-line, doi: 10.1007/s00198-007-0337-9
"Vitamin K2 supplementation improves hip bone geometry and bone strength indices in postmenopausal women"
Authors: M.H.J. Knapen, L.J. Schurgers, C. Vermeer

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