Strength from within: Vitamin K2 leads new era in bone health and mobility support

As aging populations grow and active lifestyles become more common across all age groups, the demand for effective, science-backed solutions to support bone strength is rising. While calcium and vitamin D have long been the cornerstones of bone health, vitamin K2 is moving to the forefront of the nutraceutical space and is bringing forward a new generation of innovations, ranging from plant-based and precision fermented ingredients to cutting-edge paired formulations.

These ingredients and compound formulations not only aim to enhance bone mineral density but also address inflammation, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair. Nutrition Insight sits down with experts from Balchem Human Nutrition & Health and Gnosis by Lesaffre to explore the latest clinically researched ingredients reshaping the supplement landscape for skeletal health.

Silvia Pisoni, the global operational marketing director at Gnosis by Lesaffre, reveals that the company’s MenaQ7 — a clinically validated, plant-based, and precision fermented vitamin K2 (MK-7) ingredient — has been shown to support bone and heart health.

The offering activates osteocalcin to direct calcium to bones and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP) to prevent calcium buildup in arteries, addressing the dual nature of calcium as both beneficial and harmful.

“Once activated, osteocalcin binds calcium to the bone mineral matrix, leading to stronger, denser bones,” Pisoni explains. “At the same time, once K2 activates MGP, it inhibits calcium from depositing in arteries and soft tissues, which can lead to dangerous calcification — MenaQ7 could be viewed as ‘bone health with a bonus.’”

“Overall, the goal of Gnosis is for vitamin K2 to be officially recognized with a scientific consensus of Recommended Dietary Allowances, and appear on nutrition facts panels — and in tandem, for the medical, dietitian, and nutritionist communities to regularly discuss this vitamin with their patients.”

At the same time, Lindsay Cole, the sales and business development manager at Balchem Human Nutrition & Health, highlights its K2Vital, a highly bioavailable vitamin K2 MK-7 (menaquinone-7) with typically 99.7% all-trans content.

“There is already strong evidence demonstrating the effects of vitamin K2 for bone health, so now we’re looking at how we can take this even further,” says Cole. “For example, we’re currently exploring how vitamin K2 might impact overall mobility, including muscle recovery and inflammation.”

“To explore these possibilities, we’re conducting scientific trials, involving both healthy participants and people suffering from sarcopenia — the gradual loss of muscle mass, strength, and function. The findings of these studies could have the potential to open up new opportunities for innovation that go beyond bone health, supporting a more holistic approach to mobility.”

Back and bone health

Pisoni reveals that Gnosis by Lesaffre partners with the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands to support its science-backed claims. Its flagship vitamin K2 ingredient, MenaQ7, has been featured in 22 published human clinical trials, reinforcing its credibility in bone health, especially for women and children.

A systematic review and meta-analysis involving over 12,000 participants highlight vitamin K2’s positive impact on bone health. The findings reveal that K2 supplementation improves lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD), lowers fracture risk, and enhances extrahepatic vitamin K status.Gnosis by Lesaffre says its precision fermented, vegan vitamin K2 MK-7 ingredient speaks to demands for sustainable ingredients.

“In the parallel meta-analysis and systematic review, the researchers analyzed nine randomized controlled trials with a total of 6,853 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis,” says Pisoni. “They observed a link between vitamin K2 supplementation and increased BMD in the lumbar and forearm, along with improvement of extrahepatic K status.”

She adds that long-term vitamin K2 supplementation is safe and effective for maintaining bone health in postmenopausal women. However, those taking bisphosphonates for osteoporosis face a heightened risk of developing bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), a rare but serious side effect.

“A new six-week study found that K2 supplementation increased expression of bone-forming genes and tissue healing. The authors concluded that vitamin K2 may be a promising and safe tool to assist in the prevention of BRONJ development in women on bisphosphonates.”

Absorption and bioavailability

Innova Market Insights’ data suggests a 5% rise in bone health supplement launches, with nearly half originating in Europe. Additionally, 50% of these new products also featured immune health claims. Vitamin D3 emerged as the most commonly used ingredient, while zinc bisglycinate is gaining traction in product formulations.

Cole at Bachem highlights calcium’s continued dominance in bone health, while emphasizing that CalActiv bisglycinate from the company’s Albion Minerals range delivers clinically tested absorption and bioavailability. This chelated form supports bone strength and helps overcome formulation challenges. Moreover, she says that Balchem uses vitamin K2 microencapsulation to optimize performance.

She says that Balchem’s Albion Minerals range features a broad selection of chelated minerals. Cole explains that by binding these minerals with amino acids like glycine, the chelation process helps safeguard them during digestion and improves their absorption in the body, ensuring greater effectiveness and bioavailability.

“Research shows that calcium bisglycinate chelate provides up to 1.8 times greater absorption than calcium citrate and calcium carbonate, making it the ideal choice for bone-supporting solutions,” she adds.

“Our microencapsulation process works by shielding the K2-MK7 on a molecular level, which helps keep the vitamin intact, stable, and ready to deliver its benefits,” Cole explains. “This patented process also allows the K2-MK7 to be combined with sought-after minerals, such as calcium for bone health, for multifunctional supplements.”

“At Balchem, we developed K2Vital Delta — the first vitamin K2 to be microencapsulated in double-coated beadlets that offer stability in most environments. This enables formulators to deliver enhanced health benefits in their final dosage formats — every time, all the way up to the expiry date.”

Women’s and children’s health first

Pisoni also points out that children experience rapid bone growth, making it essential for them to efficiently absorb and use calcium to support healthy development. A 2012 study found that children and adults over 40 are most likely to be vitamin K deficient and respond strongly to MenaQ7 K2 supplementation — 45 mcg for children and 90 mcg for adults.Balchem highlights its chelation process increases vitamin K2 absorption and bioavailability.

While peak bone mass is typically achieved by age 30, the foundation is built during youth. Girls acquire up to 90% of their peak bone mass by 18, and boys by 20. Because bone density gradually declines with age — especially in women — maximizing calcium absorption in early years helps secure stronger, healthier bones for life.

“This emphasizes the need to secure as much bone mass as possible before that peak and then maintain as best we can through nutritional support, like supplementing with vitamin K2 as MK-7,” Pisoni notes. “There’s another reason for children to consume K2 — a new study links a K2 deficiency to short stature in children.”

“Our three-year bone study was conducted in healthy postmenopausal women because it is widely understood that once women reach their menopausal years, they experience a sharp decline in bone mass due to a shift in hormone production.”

Bone strengthening synergies

Cole stresses that vitamin K2-MK7 offers strong benefits alone, but its full potential emerges when combined with vitamin D3. She says that vitamin D3 boosts production of vitamin K-dependent proteins like osteocalcin and MGP, while vitamin K2 activates these proteins, supporting effective calcium metabolism and related health benefits.

“Building on this strong foundation, we’ve taken a step further by adding another popular ingredient to the mix — magnesium,” she underscores. “This nutrient is already gaining traction in the bone health space, with sales expected to be 21.6% larger in 2027 than they were in 2022.”

“This led us to create the Vital Trio concept. This 3-in-1 formula leverages the benefits of these three key ingredients (vitamin D3, K2Vital Delta, and magnesium) for bone health, while also offering comprehensive support for other areas like heart health, sleep, and relaxation.”

Cole also reveals that though the bone health category has “undeniably been a little stagnant in recent years,” the company is seeing a change as the demographics seeking the ingredient continue to shift.

“At Balchem, we’re particularly intrigued by the intersection of bone health and women’s athletes — an area with so much potential to innovate,” she concludes. “That’s one of the reasons why we recently announced a partnership between K2Vital and the FC Bayern Women’s soccer team.” 

“This collaboration aims to educate consumers and inspire healthier lifestyles by creating a unique connection with them and showcasing how a nutrient like vitamin K2 can support strong bones, and ultimately, healthy lifestyles.”