Frutarom USA Launches Natural & Potent Vitamin K2 as MK-7

UniK2 promotes both bone and heart health: within the vitamin K2 group, MK-7 provides a longer lasting efficacy profile than other forms of vitamin K.

3/2/2011 --- Frutarom USA has launched uniK2, a highly bioavailable and potent vitamin K2 MK-7 for use in functional foods and food supplements. This follows its recent successful launch in Europe. Strongly backed by scientific studies, uniK2 can support both bone and heart health. The ingredient is derived from Japanese-produced natto, one of the richest natural sources of vitamin K2,  which has been traditionally consumed in Japan for centuries.

“UniK2 is a remarkable form of vitamin K2,” notes Laurent Leduc Vice President Health for Frutarom Americas. “it’s an all-natural, potent and highly bioavailable formula and, importantly, it has long serum half-life – up to three days in comparison to synthetic vitamin K1 which lasts an average of only few hours.”

UniK2 promotes both bone and heart health: within the vitamin K2 group, MK-7 provides a longer lasting efficacy profile than other forms of vitamin K. By activating a protein called osteocalcin and producing optimal binding of calcium in the bones, it provides efficient osteoporosis prevention. In this manner, uniK2 contributes to bone mineralization and thus helps maintain healthy bones. This has been backed by multiple clinical studies.

Cardiovascular health is supported by preventing calcium from being deposited on arterial cell walls, resulting in effective protection against arterial calcification. The ingredient’s efficacy for bone health, its effects on cardiovascular diseases, as well as its efficient modes of action and safety have been confirmed in recent clinical and population studies.

Vitamin K intake in the average Western diet is regularly insufficient, and supplementation is strongly recommended. The recommended daily dose of uniK2 powder 0.2 % is 22.5 mg/day, while the 0.15% oil has a recommended daily dose of 30 mg. This is equivalent to a daily intake of 45μg, as recommended and supported by scientific data.

UniK2 can be used across a wide range of products, from classic dietary supplements to functional foods such as beverages, dairy products, nutrition bars and bakery products. “Its versatility and efficacy in fighting widespread conditions such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular complaints make uniK2 an attractive ingredient for bone and heart health formulasespecially for applications targeting health for women and seniors,” adds Leduc.
“With this vitamin K2 ingredient, Frutarom expands its range of safe and efficient herbal extracts, providing science-based functionality purely from nature.”

Natto is one of the richest natural sources of this vitamin. The extract provides Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7), the most bioavailable and bioactive form of Vitamin K. The extract is produced by J-Oil Mills Inc., originates entirely from Japan and may be labeled as such on the end product.