Menaquinone (vitamin K2)

Vitamin K is a plant derivative and is found in the form of phylloquinone while menaquinone or Vitamin K2 is an animal derivative. Both these collective are termed as compounds of Vitamin K and referred to as menaquinones. There are a series of this vitamin K compounds which have unsaturated chains and are easily found in animals as well as in bacteria’s.

A lipid soluble vitamin it is produced in the gastrointestinal tracts by the bacteria’s in the body but it can be synthetically formed. Chicken egg yolk, butter, cow liver, fermented soybean products like natto etc are other sources of this vitamin. Natto is the best source for Vitamin K2. Certain bacteria’s like the micro flora bacteria found in the intestine is known to produce Vitamin K.

As far as dietary contribution is concerned there is far less contribution of this vitamin in comparison to Vitamin K1. Vitamin K can also be found in certain vegetables like broccoli, spinach, sprouts and it has also been found that leafy vegetables are also a very rich source of this vitamin.

Vitamin K2 is also essential for the carboxylation of glutamate in some proteins as it gives rise to carboxyglutamate. Carboxylation helps the proteins to bind with the calcium in the body to help in the easy clotting of the blood. Caboxylation of glutamate also finds its importance in other proteins where transportation of calcium is involved.

Vitamin K2 has shown its effectiveness compared to Vitamin K1 where osteoclastogenesis or for that matter hypocholesterolemic effects are required to slow down atherosclerotic progression in the body. This is possible due to the geranylgeranyl side chain which is found in K2 which helps bind mevolonate pathway preventing prenylation. This growth factor is essential for osteoclast activation in the same manner as nitrogen is important in bisphosphonates.

Vitamin K2 is the most active biologic form of Vitamin K it has its benefits in the form of retaining and maintaining the good health of the bones in the body. Menadione or Vitamin K2 also finds its usefulness in improving myelodysplastic syndromes or MDS which is a blood disorder. Vitamin K2 helps in preventing fractures and also helps sustain lumbar bone density as it helps maintain the level of bone minerals which can lead to osteoporosis.

Vitamin K2 when combined with calcium and Vitamin D helps in treating problems related to bones and also helps in preventing osteoporosis which is found mostly in women as the level of calcium is less in women especially after pregnancy and during the late thirties and during the menopause period as there are various hormonal changes taking place in the body. Oral supplements have helped prevent Osteoporosis if taken regularly as it has shown a remarkable improvement in the level of calcium in the body.

Vitamin K2 along with its other derivatives have also helped in inducing apoptosis in leukemia thus enhancing the effects of all types of trans retinoic acids in the body. Apart from this deficiency of this leads to epistaxis, hemorrhagic diseases, bleeding of the gastrointestinal muscles, menorrhagia, hematuria etc.