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Calcium is one of the most widely used minerals in dietary supplements. However, effective calcium supplementation depends not only on absorption, but also on how calcium is utilised within the body.
Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7) plays an important role in calcium metabolism through the activation of vitamin K-dependent proteins. These include osteocalcin, which supports the incorporation of calcium into the bone matrix, and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), a protein involved in the regulation of calcium deposition in soft tissues.
Vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 fulfil complementary roles in calcium metabolism. While vitamin D3 supports calcium absorption, vitamin K2 activates proteins involved in calcium utilisation. For this reason, K2 MK-7 is increasingly incorporated alongside calcium and vitamin D3 in bone health formulations designed to support efficient use of absorbed calcium.
For product developers formulating calcium supplements, bone health products and healthy ageing formulations, vitamin K2 MK-7 provides a scientifically established mechanism that complements calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation.
Vitamin K2 MK-7 is the most extensively studied form of vitamin K2 and recognised for its high bioavailability and long plasma half-life. The long plasma half-life enables sustained availability following supplementation, making it well suited for once-daily dosing formats.
By activating osteocalcin and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), MK-7 supports normal calcium utilisation and contributes to the maintenance of normal bones. These properties make it particularly suitable for formulations combining calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3.
Our microencapsulated vitamin K2 MK-7 is produced through natural fermentation using a patented Bacillus subtilis natto strain and extracted using supercritical technology. This clean extraction process without use of chemical solvents preserves the integrity of the active molecule.
Whereas conventional vitamin K2 ingredients can present formulation challenges in aqueous systems due to their limited solubility, this microencapsulated vitamin K2 MK-7 has been developed with superior water solubility and ultra-fast dissolution within seconds.
Vitamin K2 can be sensitive to alkaline environments. In formulations containing calcium or magnesium salts, degradation may occur during storage if the active ingredient is not adequately protected.
To address this challenge, the ingredient is microencapsulated within a protective matrix specifically designed to improve stability in mineral-rich formulations. The encapsulation technology helps protect MK-7 throughout processing and shelf life, supporting potency retention from manufacturing through to consumption.
The microencapsulated vitamin K2 MK-7 ingredient contains more than 99.9% all-trans MK-7 and an overall MK-7 concentration exceeding 96%. The all-trans configuration represents the biologically active form of MK-7. High trans-isomer purity provides confidence that the declared active content reflects the physiologically relevant form of the vitamin, supporting consistent product quality and label claim integrity.
Compared with standard vitamin K2 ingredients, this ingredient has demonstrated three times higher bioavailability, delivering both rapid absorption and sustained plasma levels of MK-7.
For product developers, enhanced bioavailability may enable effective formulation at lower inclusion levels while providing a strong scientific foundation for product differentiation and positioning.
The combination of rapid solubility, micro-encapsulated stability, high purity and enhanced bioavailability makes this Vitamin K MK-7 suitable for a wide range of delivery formats, including capsules, tablets, sachets, chewables, gummies, functional foods and beverage applications.
The microencapsulated form is especially relevant with MK-7 is combined with calcium, magnesium, vitamin D3 and other complementary ingredients used in bone health, active ageing and cardiovascular support formulations. Vitamin K2 MK-7 may also be paired with nattokinase in comprehensive cardiovascular health concepts.
Regulatory note: Vitamin K is authorised in the EU for the health claims “Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of normal bones” and “Vitamin K contributes to normal blood clotting” when conditions of use are met.
In addition to the microencapsulated K2 MK-7, other formats are available including regular K2 MK-7 powder and oil. The regular powder formats are suitable for hard capsules, tablets and powder products, while oil formats are suitable for drops, sprays and soft capsules.
Figure 1 & 2 : Microencapsulated Vitamin K2 MK-7 has high bioavailability with faster and sustained absorption
Lene Aarøe Nissen
Head of Nordic Sales
+45 22 70 10 02
lan@alsiano.com
