Why You Need Different Forms of Vitamin K

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble nutrient that was first discovered in the late 1920s by a Danish biochemist that observed the effects of this vitamin deficiency on chickens. When the chickens were given fat-free food for over 2 weeks, they developed problems with excessive bleeding. Feeding the chickens other known fat-soluble vitamins of the time, such as vitamin A and vitamin D did not remove the problem. It was only when he began supplementing their feed with green leafy vegetables that he concluded there was another unknown vitamin that helps regulate blood coagulation. He named it “Koagulations vitamin” which we know as vitamin K. Chances are you had a vitamin K shot right after birth. It takes time to build up vitamin K in the system, so to prevent complications, newborn babies often receive a one-time vitamin K shot.

Vitamin K1: Also known as phytonadione or phylloquinone, this vitamin is present in green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli and spinach and other nutritious foods such as seeds and animal livers. The daily recommended value for vitamin K1 is 120 mcg for adult males and 90 mcg for adult females.

Vitamin K2: Also known as menaquinone, this vitamin can be created by beneficial bacteria in our digestive tract or obtained from fermented foods and animal products. Food sources include natto (Japanese fermented soybeans), blue cheese, gouda cheese, swiss cheese, eggs and chicken. This is available in supplement forms as menaquinone-4 or menaquinone-7. Menaquinone-7 is more biologically active and is retained for a longer period of time than menaquinone-4 supplements.*

If you want to make sure you are getting adequate vitamin K1 and K2, eat your leafy green vegetables along with healthy vegetable oils. Fermented foods such as hard cheeses and natto are a wonderful source of vitamin K2. You can find both forms of vitamin K in our One Daily and Six Daily Multivitamins. Our Vitamin D3 Plus formula contains 125 mcg of vitaminD3 and 100 mcg of vitamin K2 per capsule to promote strong and healthy bones.