NattoPharma study flags vitamin K2’s role for cardiovascular health

02 Apr 2020 --- Vitamin K2’s significant role in reducing inflammation and boosting cardiovascular health has been identified by new research, endorsed by NattoPharma. Published in Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, the paper examined the link between early vascular aging in chronic kidney disease (CKD), with a focus on the role of NattoPharma’s MenaQ7 vitamin K in counteracting oxidative stress and the aging process. The researchers note that the findings are a crucial step toward solidifying a reference daily intake (RDI) for vitamin K2.

The review paper is the result of the Intricare grant, which was awarded to NattoPharma’s International Research Network by the EU as part of the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie research and innovation program. 

“This research provides further evidence that vitamin K2 is in fact an important nutrient to support healthy ageing, in part through its promotion of cardiovascular health. Not only is it helpful in making a case to manufacturers considering Vitamin K2 for their healthy aging support products, but it is an important piece of NattoPharma’s RDI efforts,” Leon Schurgers, Professor of Biochemistry of Vascular Calcification and senior author and leader of the INTRICARE project, tells NutritionInsight.

Patients with CKD are characterized by an accelerated aging process, including cardiovascular complications, persistent uraemic inflammation, muscle wasting, osteoporosis and frailty, the study notes. Moreover, they may require preceding initiation of renal replacement therapy with dialysis or kidney transplantation. The accelerated early vascular aging (EVA) process mediated by medial vascular calcification (VC) is a hallmark of senescence – the condition or process of deterioration with age – as well as a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the CKD population. 

“Current clinical therapeutic strategies and novel treatments for VC have not yet been proven to prevent or reverse VC progression in patients with CKD. Knowledge of the fundamental mechanism underlying EVA is urgently needed to identify and develop novel and efficient therapeutic targets for VC and EVA,” the research team asserts.

The review paper is the result of the Intricare grant, which was awarded to NattoPharma by the EU as part of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program. “CKD patients have been the subject of previous MenaQ7-specific research (i.e., studies where MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7 was used as the source material). As a symptom of their condition, CKD patients express intense arterial calcification, which makes them a strong group to examine the impact of K2 as MK-7. But our research has been conducted in healthy as well as patient populations, and our studies in healthy adults have shown that MenaQ7 K2 as MK-7 can improve bone and cardiovascular health, and our studies in healthy children have shown improved bone health,” Schurgers says.

Healthy aging
The paper is significant because it adds to the growing body of evidence substantiating vitamin K2 as an aging support nutrient, according to NattoPharma Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hogne Vik. 

“Compromised bone and heart health are not merely age-related issues. Rather, they are signs of a vitamin K2 deficiency,” says Dr. Vik. “NattoPharma has driven the research confirming vitamin K2’s important health benefits. Human studies with healthy and patient participants have shown that the progression of hardening of the arteries can be halted and even regressed, and that bone strength can be improved with daily supplementation of MenaQ7 vitamin K2.”

The research team identified an accumulating body of evidence indicating that DNA damage – induced cellular senescence and “inflammaging” – may largely contribute to such pathological conditions characterized by accelerated EVA. “Growing evidence shows that nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling and vitamin K play a crucial role in counteracting oxidative stress, DNA damage, senescence and inflammaging, whereby NRF2 activation and vitamin K supplementation may provide a novel treatment target for EVA,” the researchers conclude.  

Schurgers says that the study will highlight the accumulated research demonstrating that vitamin K2 consumption might serve as a potential therapy for patients who express intense calcification as a symptom of their condition.

Research backing Vitamin K2
Dr. Vik underscores that the paper is a necessary step towards recognizing the importance of a vitamin K2-specific RDI, an endeavor NattoPharma is currently spearheading with the help of its research partners. 

“Recognition of Vitamin K2’s benefits as a strong and significant elucidated inhibitor of vascular and soft tissue calcification is one of the core reasons a separate RDI should be established. Our partnership with Maastricht University and this prestigious grant has given us an opportunity to further the understanding of the necessity of obtaining adequate K2 for human health,” he adds.

Previously, NattoPharma enlisted its research partners to start a program to establish “a much-needed RDI for vitamin K2.” The program began with a team of researchers at Maastricht University, the Netherlands. NattoPharma has worked closely with the Maastricht University in documenting benefits of the company’s exclusive branded MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7, since 2004. 

Other research on vitamin K2 has also proven its benefits. Another study endorsed by NattoPharma and published in Clinical Nutrition found that vitamin K1 had no impact on Matrix Gla protein (MGP) – a protein involved in vascular calcium metabolism – noting that vitamin K2 has a positive impact on cardiovascular health. Moreover, a study endorsed by the American Heart Association (AHA) and NattoPharma found that improving Vitamin K2 status may significantly benefit arterial stiffening and calcification and reduce cardiovascular complications. 

By Kristiana Lalou, with additional reporting from Katherine Durrell