Burgerstein
Burgerstein English
Burgerstein Deutsch Burgerstein English Burgerstein Español Burgerstein Français Burgerstein Italiano
  1. Burgerstein Vitamins
  2. Knowledge
  3. Vitamins
  4. Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2

What is vitamin K important for?

Essential for blood clotting
The main function of vitamin K is the activation of so-called clotting factors. These are proteins that are responsible for clotting (thickening) the blood, which is extremely important for stopping bleeding. The constant availability of vitamin K for blood clotting is even ensured by its own recycling process. However, an additional supply of vitamin K does not negatively change blood clotting in healthy people.

Building and maintaining bones and protecting blood vessels
Vitamin K activates various proteins (e.g. osteocalcin, matrix GLA protein) which are important for bones and blood vessels. For example, osteocalcin activated by vitamin K serves as a "signpost" for calcium into the bones. It promotes the incorporation of calcium into bone tissue and at the same time inhibits bone resorption. The matrix GLA protein, in turn, protects tissue and vessels from calcium deposits and calcification.

While vitamin K1 plays an important role in the activation of blood clotting factors, it has only a minor effect in the activation of osteocalcin and MGP due to its short half-life. Here, vitamin K2 plays a greater role.

Good to know about vitamin K

  • the recommended daily requirement is 60-80 µg. 
  • a distinction is made between vitamin K1 and vitamin K2
  • vitamin K2 is found mainly in fermented foods
  • vitamin K is important for blood clotting
  • vitamin K is photosensitive
  • vitamin K as a guide for calcium into the bones

Possible consequences of vitamin K deficiency

  • blood clotting disorder
  • increased risk of bone fractures
  • increased calcification of vessels, tissues, joints

Where can vitamin K1 and vitamin K2 be found?

Traditionally, vitamin K has meant vitamin K1. Today, vitamin K is understood to be a family with two main forms: Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone). Vitamin K1 is found primarily in green leafy vegetables or cabbage and has a short residence time in the body of 1 to 2 hours. Vitamin K2 includes various chemical compounds (MK-4 to MK-13), with MK-7 being of particular interest in supplements. This vitamin K2 compound is formed exclusively by bacteria in foods (e.g. fermented foods such as "Natto" = fermented Japanese soybeans, sauerkraut, etc.) or in the large intestine and is effective in the body for a long time (2-3 days).

Vitamin K belongs to the fat-soluble vitamins and should therefore be taken with a high-fat meal. During preparation, relatively little vitamin K is lost due to its good stability, but it is highly sensitive to light.

Here's what you should look for first when taking vitamin K supplements

Patients taking anticoagulants of the vitamin K antagonist type (coumarin derivatives) should consult their physician before taking vitamin K preparations. New oral anticoagulants (= NOAK) such as factor Xa inhibitors are not affected. Normal amounts of vitamin K1 via the diet have no negative influence and even tend to have a stabilizing effect on the setting of blood clotting. However, caution is advised when taking vitamin K2 supplements. These can already have a negative effect on the effect of the medication from an amount of 30 µg/day.

What can negatively affect vitamin K status?

The following factors can negatively influence the vitamin K status:

  • Liver damage: impaired recycling of vitamin K.
  • Functional disorders of the pancreas/gallbladder: poor absorption of vitamin K
  • Intestinal diseases/antibiotics: inhibit the body's own vitamin K production
Burgerstein OsteoVital 120 Tabletten check product
Burgerstein Vitamin K2 60 Kapseln
Vitamin K2

The support for your bones.

Burgerstein Vitamin K2 Capsules contain high-quality, pure vitamin K2 that is particularly well absorbed by the body (all-trans menaquinone-7). Vitamin K contributes to the maintenance of…

Vitamin K2