Vitamin K2 (MK-4)
Also known as: menatetrenone, menaquinone-4, MK-4, MK4
Menaquinone-4 is the short-chain vitamin K2 that the body itself makes from phylloquinone and the form present in meat, eggs, and dairy. As a supplement it is synthetic. It clears from blood faster than MK-7, so it is dosed more often or at higher amounts. In Japan a 45 mg per day menatetrenone drug has been studied for osteoporosis, and meta-analyses of those trials underpin its bone reputation; dietary supplements use far smaller microgram amounts, typically 100 to 1,500 mcg.
Research summary
Cofactor for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase activating osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein; also acts on the SXR/PXR nuclear receptor in bone cells.
Dosage
Daily amounts, of compound.
| Lowest studied | Typical range | Highest studied | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 mcg | 100–1,500 mcg | 45,000 mcg | — |
Doses are mcg MK-4. Adequate Intake for vitamin K is 120 mcg men, 90 mcg women; DV 120 mcg; no UL. Supplement products commonly range from 100 to 1,500 mcg, while the Japanese osteoporosis protocol reviewed in meta-analyses uses 45 mg (45,000 mcg) per day as a prescription drug in divided doses; that amount is a medical regimen, not a supplement level. Short half-life, so split across meals. Fat-soluble; take with food.
Standardization: ≥97% menatetrenone; supplied neat or as 1% to 5% dilutions
Source material: synthetic
As supplied: Available neat (oil) or as 1% to 5% dry dilutions; 0.1 mg per mcg assumes a 1% grade and is supplier dependent. For mg-level doses using neat material, set raw material to 0.001 mg per mcg.
Forms of Vitamin K
| Form | Typical dose | Element % | Formats | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin K2 (MK-4) | 100–1,500 mcg | — | Capsule, Softgel, Tablet, Powder, Liquid | mid |
| Vitamin K2 (MK-7) | 90–200 mcg | — | Capsule, Softgel, Tablet, Gummy, Liquid, Powder | mid |
| Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone) | 90–200 mcg | — | Capsule, Tablet, Powder, Softgel, Gummy, Liquid | low |
Format suitability
- Capsule
- Powder
- Tablet
- Softgel
- Gummy
- Liquid
Light-sensitive; protect from UV. Neat MK-4 is an oil and suits softgels; dry dilutions suit tablets and capsules.
Formulation notes
Antagonizes warfarin and related anticoagulants; label caution required. Often combined with vitamin D3 and calcium.
- Notable drug interactions
Sources
- Vitamin K — Health Professional Fact SheetNIH ODS
- The efficacy and safety of menatetrenone in the management of osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. (Su S, 2019)PubMed
- Efficacy of menatetrenone (vitamin K2) against non-vertebral and hip fractures in patients with neurological diseases: meta-analysis of three randomized, controlled trials. (Iwamoto J, 2009)PubMed
Related ingredients
Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
VitaminMenaquinone-7 is the long-chain vitamin K2 originally isolated from natto and now made by Bacillus fermentation or synthesis.
Typical: 90–200 mcg
Cod Liver Oil
Fatty acidCod liver oil is pressed from the livers of Atlantic cod.
Typical: 1,000–2,000 mg
Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)
VitaminPhylloquinone is the plant form of vitamin K found in leafy greens and the main dietary form.
Typical: 90–200 mcg
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
VitaminThe form of vitamin D the body makes from sunlight and the most effective supplemental form for raising blood levels.
Typical: 1,000–2,000 IU
Fish Oil (EPA/DHA Concentrate)
Fatty acidFish oil concentrate is a refined marine oil enriched in the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Typical: 500–2,000 mg