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Vitamin K2 and bone health
Vitamin K2 and bone health
The importance of bone health
More than one in two US adults are affected by musculoskeletal conditions related to joints, bones, and muscles, including the spine (such as back and neck pain).1,2
Prevalence is higher in women and increases with age,2 and the impact of poor bone health can have irreversible consequences.3
Multiple lifestyle factors can contribute to strengthening bone health, including adequate weightbearing exercise. For women, bone health trumps heart health as a predictor of quality of life and life extension.
A novel and natural approach to support bone mineral density
Aging involves many physiological changes. A significant process associated with aging is a decline in bone mineral content, leading to
reduced structural bone strength. This is particularly true for postmenopausal women.4 Vitamin K2 supports bone mineralization by
activating osteocalcin, a calcium binding protein involved in bone remodelling and calcium homeostasis. It can also work synergistically with vitamin D to support the activity of osteocalcin. Vitamin K2 plays a dual role in bone health by both supporting the bone building process, and by decreasing calcium reabsorption.7 It is estimated that 10 million Americans experience bone loss, and half of all Americans aged 50 or older – 54 million –are at risk of bone fracture.8With the number of people aged 65 and older only growing, vitamin K2 is uniquely positioned to support this demographic group.
Clinical evidence
• Vitamin K2 helps the body to properly utilize calcium to build healthy
tissue bone. Several human clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of vitamin K2 in supporting bone mineral density.9,10,11,12,13,14,15
• In postmenopausal women specifically, a three-year study found long-term use of vitamin K2 supplementation seemed to decrease age-related decline in bone mass and strength.10 In the same population, a recent meta-analysis indicated vitamin K2 may help to prevent bone fracture.16
• In people who have received heart transplants, a population in which osteoporosis can more frequently occur, one year of vitamin K2 supplementation has been observed to have favourable effects on bone density mass.17
The bone health supplement space
Bone health is one of the largest therapeutic areas within the metabolic nutraceutical ingredient market, second only to heart health.18 Alongside ingredients that support healthy aging, bone health is likely to be a key continuing driver of demand for dietary supplements.19 This demand is reflected in a 2022 study where 65% of consumers in North America reported their interest in products that address bone health.20 A recent report has estimated that the global bone and joint health ingredient market will rise to $6.01 billion by 2030, a CAGR of 5.4%, with vitamin K highlighted as an ingredient with a strong growth profile.21 Despite this, in the last five years only 1% of new product launches globally have included a bone health claim,22which makes this an excellent time to enter the bone health market.
Clinical evidence
• Vitamin K2 helps the body to properly utilize calcium to build healthy
tissue bone. Several human clinical studies have confirmed the effectiveness of vitamin K2 in supporting bone mineral density.9,10,11,12,13,14,15
• In postmenopausal women specifically, a three-year study found long-term use of vitamin K2 supplementation seemed to decrease age-related decline in bone mass and strength.10 In the same population, a recent meta-analysis indicated vitamin K2 may help to prevent bone fracture.16
• In people who have received heart transplants, a population in which osteoporosis can more frequently occur, one year of vitamin K2 supplementation has been observed to have favourable effects on bone density mass.17