Taking vitamin K₂ MK-7 for bone health Original paper

Previous studies suggest that supplementation with vitamin K₂ protects bone mineral density (BMD) and reduces fracture risk in older adults. The research is mostly on high doses of K₂ MK-4, though; more evidence is needed for K₂ MK-7.

In this 12-month randomized controlled trial, 311 older adults (aged 50–75) were divided into four groups: 50 µg of MK-7, 90 µg of MK-7, 90 µg of MK-7 with 10 µg (400 IU) of vitamin D₃ and 500 mg of calcium, or placebo.

There wasn’t an improvement in any of the groups for lumbar spine BMD (the primary outcome), femoral neck BMD, and total hip BMD. There was a lesser loss in femoral neck BMD (but not lumbar spine BMD or total hip BMD) in postmenopausal women who took MK-7, especially the higher dose.

It’s likely that all of the minerals and vitamins relevant to bone health are needed for optimal bone mineralization. As it stands, all four groups had low levels of vitamin D throughout the trial, even the group that received vitamin D.