MK-7, the superior form of vitamin K2
This product contains 180 mcg of vitamin K2 in the form of menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Vitamin K2, or menaquinone (abbreviated MK), comes in various forms, the best known of which are MK-4, MK-7, MK-8 and MK-9. The number mentioned after 'MK' refers to the length of the side chain in the molecule. According to the current state of science, menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is the most effective form of vitamin K2. MK-7 is excellently absorbed and remains in the body for a very long time in order to be effective, thanks to its long half-life. This is why it is possible to use MK-7 with relatively low doses for optimal effectiveness.

K2Vital®Delta from Kappa Bioscience
Vitamin K2 is known to be very unstable. In combination with minerals or certain additives, the vitamin K2 content in a product can quickly decrease. This is of course very undesirable, because you want to be able to store a supplement for the entire shelf life. The Norwegian manufacturer Kappa Bioscience has developed a vitamin K2 raw material that is very well protected against external influences. By means of a patented micro-encapsulation process, the K2 is completely enveloped, which guarantees stability even in products with aggressive mineral compounds. Vitals has selected K2Vital®Delta as the best vitamin K2 raw material after extensive stability tests with various K2 raw materials in various compositions.

Trans-form versus cis-form
MK-7 comes in two forms (isomers), the natural trans-form and the synthetic cis-form. The body can only handle the natural trans-form, just as MK-7 is found in food. The trans-form is therefore considered by scientists to be the only biologically active form of MK-7. The cis-form, on the other hand, does not occur in nature and is not effective, and could even cause unnecessary stress on the body. This product from Vitals contains more than 99.7% of the natural trans-form.

Sources of Vitamin K2
MK-7 is produced by certain bacteria during fermentation and occurs naturally mainly in natto, a Japanese dish consisting of fermented soy. Natto has a strong, characteristic taste and is therefore not very popular in Western cuisine. Other menaquinones, such as MK-8 and MK-9, occur in smaller quantities in cottage cheese and hard cheeses in particular.

How Vitamin K Works
The best-known function of vitamin K in the body is to contribute to normal blood clotting. Vitamin K activates certain vitamin K-dependent blood clotting factors that ensure that blood clotting is optimal, i.e. not too strong and not too weak. But it also contributes to the absorption of calcium in the bones. Vitamin K is needed as a coenzyme for the carboxylation (activation) of certain Gla proteins, whereby glutamic acid (Glu) is converted into γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla). Carboxylation is essential for the vast majority of the functions of these proteins. Important examples of Gla proteins are osteocalcin ¹ and Matrix Gla protein (MGP) ^2. A common property of these carboxylated vitamin K-dependent Gla proteins is that they bind calcium.

1) Osteocalcin: (also known as 'bone-Gla-protein') is a vitamin K-dependent protein that is produced in bone and tooth tissue and regulates their mineralization.

2) Matrix Gla protein: a vitamin K-dependent protein produced in most soft tissues, such as blood vessels, cartilage, kidneys, lungs, and spleen, as well as bone tissue. MGP (like osteocalcin and other Gla proteins) has a calcium-binding property.

Permitted health claims:

• helps with normal blood clotting
• contributes to the absorption of calcium in the bones and helps keep them strong

Rice flour (Oryza sativa), vegetable capsule (pullulan, from fermented cassava starch), vitamin K2.