What is Vitamin K2
Vitamin K2 MK7 vs MK4
Vitamin K2 MK7 is more effective than MK4
Vitamin K2 can be divided into MK-4 (Menaquinone-4) to MK-13 (Menaquinone-13) depending on the length of the isoprenoid (side chain). Vitamin K2 that exists in the body and has a commercialized structure containing MK4 and MK7. MK4 is contained in butter and cheese, whereas Vitamin K2 MK7 can be found in foods fermented with soybeans, such as natto and cheonggukjang.
MK-7(K2)
MK-4(K2)
Most of MK-4 is metabolized in the liver, and since the number of isoprenoids is little, its half-life is very short and it is easily decomposed in the body, so it is effective only when the amount of intake and frequency of intake are large.
On the other hand, in the case of MK-7, the number of isoprenoids is higher than that of MK-4, and the half-life is longer than 3 days, so the *bioavailability is high.
Therefore, considering the half-life and intake amount of MK-4 and MK-7, the amount of intake and frequency of consumption is reduced for Vitamin K2 MK7 vs MK4.
* Bioavailability: Physiological effects of a certain amount of drugs
Vitamin K2 concentration in the body (ng/ml)
Time (hour)
The concentration of vitamin K2 in serum (ng/mL) when 420 ㎍ of vitamin K2 is ingested at a time
Vitamin K2 concentration in the body (ng/ml)
The concentration of vitamin K2 in serum (㎍/day) when vitamin K2 60 ㎍ (daily intake) is consumed for 7 consecutive days
Vitamin K (ng/ml)
Accumulation during prolonged intake of MK-4 vs MK-7(60 mcg/day)
Day of suplementation with vitamin K
The Difference : Vitamin K2 MK7 vs MK4
| Item |
MK-7(Menaquinone-7) |
MK-4(Menaquinone-4) |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended amount* |
120mcg or more (Requires to intake a small amount) |
45mg(45,000mcg) (Requires to intake a large amount) |
| Frequency of intake | Once a clay | 3 times a day |
| Half-life in the body | Number of days (Can be taken once a day) | Number of hours (Requires frequent intake) |
*The recommended amount of Vitamin K2 MK4 and MK7 varies by country,
but it is set to a much less than the required amount.