Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Vitamin K2 (MK-7) (Menaquinone-7 (MK-7; Vitamin K2)) is a dietary supplement with 6 published peer-reviewed studies involving 552 participants, researched for Bone Health & Osteoporosis, Arterial Stiffness & Cardiovascular Health, Calcification Prevention and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Bone Health & Osteoporosis
ModerateArterial Stiffness & Cardiovascular Health
ModerateCalcification Prevention
WeakCardiovascular & Arterial Calcification
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Bone Health & Osteoporosis
To investigate whether low-dose MK-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women.
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate whether low-dose MK-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women.
Dose
180 μg/day MK-7
Participants
244 healthy postmenopausal women
Duration
3 years
Results
MK-7 supplementation significantly decreased the age-related decline in BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck. ucOC was significantly reduced (improved vitamin K status). Bone strength at the femoral neck was significantly improved.
How They Measured It
DXA (lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD), ucOC, dp-ucMGP
To review the molecular pathways and roles for vitamin K2-7 as a health-beneficial nutraceutical.
Study Type
Narrative review
Purpose
To review the molecular pathways and roles for vitamin K2-7 as a health-beneficial nutraceutical.
Dose
Various (45-360 μg/day)
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
MK-7 activates osteocalcin to support bone mineralisation. Evidence supports MK-7 for osteoporosis prevention, cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammatory effects, and improved insulin sensitivity. MK-7 has the longest half-life of all menaquinone forms.
How They Measured It
Review of clinical evidence across bone, cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological outcomes
Arterial Stiffness & Cardiovascular Health
To investigate whether MK-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women.
Study Type
Double-blind, randomised clinical trial
Purpose
To investigate whether MK-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women.
Dose
180 μg/day MK-7
Participants
244 healthy postmenopausal women
Duration
3 years
Results
MK-7 significantly improved arterial stiffness (reduced pulse wave velocity) vs placebo. dp-ucMGP decreased significantly (indicating activated Matrix Gla Protein, a vascular calcification inhibitor).
How They Measured It
Pulse wave velocity (PWV), local stiffness (carotid), dp-ucMGP
To determine the effect of low-dose MK-7 supplementation on anticoagulation stability and cardiovascular biomarkers.
Study Type
Dose-response RCT
Purpose
To determine the effect of low-dose MK-7 supplementation on anticoagulation stability and cardiovascular biomarkers.
Dose
10-45 μg/day MK-7
Participants
64 healthy volunteers
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Dose-dependent reductions in dp-ucMGP with increasing MK-7. Even low doses (10-20 μg/day) affected anticoagulation stability. Results inform safe supplementation thresholds for anticoagulated patients.
How They Measured It
INR stability, dp-ucMGP, ucOC
Calcification Prevention
To review growing evidence of vitamin K2's role in calcification prevention beyond bone and cardiovascular.
Study Type
Review and PMC narrative
Purpose
To review growing evidence of vitamin K2's role in calcification prevention beyond bone and cardiovascular.
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Vitamin K2 (MK-7) activates both osteocalcin and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP). MGP prevents calcification of soft tissues including arteries, kidneys, and skin. MK-7 supplementation reduces soft tissue calcium deposition and supports healthy calcium routing to bone.
How They Measured It
Review of MGP activation, osteocalcin carboxylation, cellular signalling
Cardiovascular & Arterial Calcification
To determine whether MK-7 plus vitamin D reduces progression of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in men with established aortic stenosis.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial
Purpose
To determine whether MK-7 plus vitamin D reduces progression of aortic valve calcification (AVC) in men with established aortic stenosis.
Dose
720 µg MK-7 + 25 µg vitamin D daily for 24 months
Participants
365 men with AVC score >300 AU (mean age 71.0 ± 4.4 years)
Duration
24 months
Results
MK-7 + vitamin D did not significantly reduce AVC progression vs placebo (mean difference -17 AU, P=0.64). No significant differences in aortic valve area, peak aortic jet velocity, aortic/coronary calcification, or cardiovascular events. However, dp-ucMGP levels were significantly reduced, indicating improved carboxylation activity.
How They Measured It
AVC score on cardiac CT, aortic valve area, peak aortic jet velocity, coronary artery calcification, dp-ucMGP levels
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Vitamin K2 (MK-7) research
There are currently 6 peer-reviewed studies on Vitamin K2 (MK-7) (Menaquinone-7 (MK-7; Vitamin K2)), involving 552 total participants. Research covers Bone mineral density & osteoporosis, Arterial stiffness & cardiovascular health, Calcification prevention and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (4 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Vitamin K2 (MK-7) has been researched for: Bone mineral density & osteoporosis, Arterial stiffness & cardiovascular health, Calcification prevention, Anti-inflammatory activity. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 4 out of 6 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
