Research reveals Balchem’s vitamins K2 MK-7 and D3 alleviate long COVID-19 symptoms
A new clinical trial has revealed that a daily dose of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 MK-7 can help improve symptoms of post-COVID-19, commonly referred to as long COVID. The single-site randomized controlled study used a vitamin K2 MK-7 ingredient supplied by Balchem (K2VITAL MCT).
The study confirms the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin K2 and D3 in addressing long COVID, highlighting the potential to fill a critical gap that could have global applications. It builds on previous research that found the risk of long COVID increases with low levels of vitamin D.
The trial was conducted by University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, US, and published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients.
“For the first time, in this randomized controlled clinical trial, we investigated the effects of vitamins K2 and D3 on long COVID symptomatology, as well as markers of immune activation and gut function,” says Dr. Grace McComsey, MD, principal investigator of the intervention trial.
“We observed a treatment effect of K2/D3 on reducing the long COVID Research Index and total number of symptoms, highlighting the promising impact of vitamin K2/D3 supplementation in attenuating long COVID.”
Vitamin synergies aid tackling long COVID
The trial involved 151 adults aged 18 years and over, all diagnosed with a previous COVID-19 infection and experiencing prolonged, recurrent, or newly developed symptoms more than three months after their positive test result.
The participants were randomly assigned to either standard-of-care treatment or a daily dose of 240 µg of vitamin K2 MK-7 (K2VITAL MCT) and 50 µg (2,000 IU) vitamin D for 24 weeks.
The participants experienced a significant decrease in body pain and post-exertional malaise, suggesting a beneficial effect of vitamins K2 and D3 on muscle-related symptoms.Results show that those receiving the vitamin combination experienced significant improvements in the total number of long COVID symptoms. They also showed reductions in scores on the Long COVID Research Index, a tool used to classify and identify individuals with long COVID.
The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue, problems thinking, pain in any part of the body, shortness of breath, and change in smell or taste.
Notably, participants experienced a significant decrease in body pain and post-exertional malaise, suggesting a beneficial effect of vitamins K2 and D3 on muscle-related symptoms.
After 24 weeks, the treatment group also exhibited important reductions in several inflammatory markers and oxidized LDL levels, indicating how the two vitamins support immune and cardiovascular health. Additionally, supplementation with these nutrients effectively decreased gut permeability and fungal translocation — key factors in the pathophysiology of long COVID.
“At Balchem, science is at the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to collaborating with universities and research institutions to drive scientific progress. We’re proud that our K2VITAL ingredient played a role in this study, and the findings hold great potential for the future,” concludes Trygve Bergeland, director of Nutrition Science, Balchem Human Nutrition and Health.
A previous study on nutritional interventions for long COVID found that a microencapsulated live bacteria formula, SIM01, may alleviate long COVID by improving gut microbiota after six months.
