Vitamin K2 (MK-4 & MK-7) for Health & Longevity - Quick Reference Sheet
evipedia.ai ← Back

Vitamin K2 (MK-4 & MK-7) for Health & Longevity

Created on 07/05/2026 – Quick Reference based on Evidence Review created using AI4L / Opus 4.8 – Audit

Vitamin K2 helps the body move calcium into bone and away from artery walls. It reliably improves vitamin K status, but proof of stronger bones or healthier arteries is mixed and partly industry-funded. Its one serious risk is counteracting older blood-thinning drugs. For most, it is inexpensive, well tolerated, and biologically reasonable. (Full Review)

Protocol

Standard Regimen
MK-7, 90–200 mcg/day
Once daily, frequently paired with vitamin D3
High-Dose Alternative
MK-4, 45 mg/day
Three divided doses; Japanese osteoporosis regimen
Timing
With fattiest meal
Fat-soluble; for many that is dinner
Time to effect
Vitamin K Markers
4–12 weeks
Blood markers of vitamin K status shift
Bone Density
1–3 years
Meaningful change with consistent use
Arterial Stiffness
1–3 years
Measurable change with consistent use

Benefits

Contraindications
  • Vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants (warfarin, acenocoumarol, phenprocoumon)
  • Mechanical heart valve on warfarin
  • Recent venous thromboembolism (<3 months) on warfarin
  • Active thrombophilia
    •
Key Interactions
  • Fat-blocking agents (orlistat, mineral oil)
  • High-dose vitamin E
  • High-dose vitamin A
  • Vitamin D and calcium (additive; hypercalcemia at high doses)
  • Fat-malabsorption states (bariatric surgery)
    •

Risk & Side Effects

  • High: Antagonism of vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants
    •
  • Medium: Hypercalcemia risk when combined with high-dose vitamin D
    •
  • Low: Mild gastrointestinal discomfort
    •
  • Speculative: Theoretical prothrombotic effect in thrombophilia; rare hypersensitivity reactions
    •

Monitoring

Marker Target Why
dp-ucMGP < 500 pmol/L Vascular vitamin K status
Undercarboxylated osteocalcin Low / minimal undercarboxylation Bone vitamin K sufficiency
Prothrombin time / INR Per anticoagulation target (2.0–3.0 on warfarin) Detects shift in anticoagulation
25-hydroxyvitamin D 40–60 ng/mL Confirms vitamin D status
Serum calcium 9.0–10.0 mg/dL Screens for hypercalcemia
Coronary artery calcium score 0 Agatston units Vascular calcification burden

Cadence: Recheck at 8–12 weeks, then every 6–12 months; weekly INR for those on a vitamin K antagonist around any change

Qualitative Assessment

  • Absence of new fragility fractures over years of use
  • Stable or improving bone-density scans
  • No unexpected change in anticoagulation control
  • General energy and musculoskeletal comfort (nonspecific)
Not medical advice. Educational distillation of a single evidence review. Confirm any decision with a qualified clinician, especially in the presence of prescription drugs or chronic conditions.