Gnosis by Lesaffre and SunWay Biotech debut new vitamin K for cardiometabolic health

22 Mar 2024 --- SunWay Biotech and Gnosis by Lesaffre unveiled their latest MenaQ7 Metabolic vitamin K with Ankascind 568-R product at Natural Products Expo West last week. Nutrition Insight sits down with John Pan, SunWay Biotech’s president, to discuss the launch.

“The global vitamin K2 market is on the cusp of significant expansion,” says Pan. “The partnership between SunWay Biotech and Gnosis by Lesaffre in launching MenaQ7 Metabolic is a testament to this burgeoning trend, offering a solution devoid ofsynthetic chemicals for cardiovascular health that resonates with the growing consumer demand for safer, more natural health solutions.” 

The company asserts that today’s consumers in the cardiovascular and heart health space are increasingly looking toward non-chemical, natural alternatives over conventional medications, particularly statin drugs, to manage cardiometabolic health.

“This formula, containing MenaQ7 and Ankascin 568-R, is a unique complementary approach for cardiometabolic health. MenaQ7 is the most clinically proven vitamin K2 as MK-7 to support heart health and contribute to visceral fat reduction.”

MenaQ7 Metabolic formula with vitamin K2 and Ankascin 568-R aims to address cardiovascular health.Vitamin K2 for heart health
SunWay Biotech explains that vitamin K2 plays a vital role in cardiovascular wellness by facilitating the removal of calcium from the arteries and preventing arterial calcification, a significant risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.

“The MenaQ7 Metabolic formula, which pairs vitamin K2 with Ankascin 568-R, addresses these evolving consumer needs by offering a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular health. This approach minimizes reliance on pharmaceuticals and reduces long-term health risks,” Pan elaborates.

Meanwhile, potential side effects of commonly used statins drugs range from muscle pain and increased diabetes risk to liver and kidney damage and heightened arterial calcification risk. 

Pan explains: “The shift away from statins emphasizes maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, enhancing HDL (high-density lipoprotein or ‘good’ cholesterol), reducing LDL (low-density lipoprotein or ‘bad’ cholesterol) and lowering triglycerides, alongside mitigating atherosclerosis through dietary adjustments, lifestyle changes and thesupplementation of natural ingredients.”

He argues that recent studies have highlighted the critical role of vitamin K2 in preventing arteriosclerosis — a vascular disease where arteries become damaged — and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. 

“Vitamin K2 facilitates the proper distribution of calcium within the body, preventing its deposition on the arterial walls, a process crucial for preventing arterial calcification and maintaining arterial elasticity. By preventing calcium deposits in the arterial walls, vitamin K2 helps slow down the progression of arteriosclerosis, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.” 

He explains that the vitamin actively manages lipid metabolism, maintaining appropriate levels of each cholesterol (HDL, LDL-C and triglyceride), managing healthy blood glucose levels to prevent vascular aging and facilitate the proper distribution of calcium within the body — all effective strategies for reducing arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular disease risk. 

“Moreover, healthy lifestyle choices such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and limiting sugar intake are also crucial for cardiovascular health.”

Ankascin 568-R is a red yeast rice that may offer benefits, including metabolic health, healthy cholesterol levels and improved blood circulation.Red yeast rice extract
The MenaQ7 Metabolic vitamin K features Ankascin 568-R, a distinctive red yeast rice extract that originates from the fermentation of the patented Monascus purpureus NTU 568 strain, setting it apart from conventional red yeast rice products. Red yeast rice is known for different benefits, including metabolic health, healthy cholesterol levels and improved blood circulation.

“Uniquely, Ankascin 568-R does not contain the controversial monacolin K but is rich in the beneficial compounds monascin and ankaflavin. These compounds are recognized for their superior benefits in enhancing metabolic health, managing cholesterol and improving blood circulation. They are devoid of the adverse effects linked to monacolin K,” Pan details. 

He asserts that the clinically validated Ankascin 568-R bolsters cardiometabolic health, aiding in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure lipid profiles and fasting glucose levels. 

“Moreover, Ankascin 568-R’s novel mechanism targets the underlying factors associated with cellular vascular aging, such as advanced glycation end products, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress.”

“The partnership between SunWay Biotech and Gnosis by Lesaffre to launch MenaQ7 Metabolic marks a strategic response to the shifting dynamics of cardiometabolic health management. This collaboration highlights a dedication to providing natural, non-chemical, and non-western medicine solutions, aligning with consumer expectations for effective, safe and comprehensive health interventions,” concludes Pan.

By Milana Nikolova