Vitamin K-2 Menaquinone-7 (50 mcg): Premium Chickpea-Derived MK-7 for Bone & Arterial Health
If you take calcium or vitamin D, there is an essential missing link you should know about: Vitamin K-2 Menaquinone-7 (50 mcg). Often referred to simply as MK-7, this specialized form of vitamin K acts like a nutritional traffic director for your body. It ensures the calcium you eat and absorb ends up inside your skeletal matrix where your bones need it, instead of hardening inside your blood vessels where it does not belong.
All-Trans MK-7 Bioavailability
Extended 72-hour half-life for round-the-clock cellular support.
100% Soy-Free Chickpea Base
Naturally fermented from non-GMO chickpeas, avoiding typical soy allergens.
Cardiovascular & Bone Synergy
Activates both Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP).
The Science in Plain English: Solving the "Calcium Paradox"
For decades, people were told that taking extra calcium and vitamin D was all that was needed for strong bones. However, clinical researchers noticed a troubling pattern known in medicine as the "Calcium Paradox": many individuals had plenty of calcium in their blood, yet their bones were becoming brittle while their coronary arteries and heart valves were accumulating stiff calcium plaques.
Think of calcium as bricks. Vitamin D helps your digestive system gather those bricks from food. But without a skilled builder directing where each brick goes, they get dumped in your circulatory system. Vitamin K-2 Menaquinone-7 is that master builder. It works by turning on two critical proteins via a process called carboxylation:
✓Osteocalcin (The Bone Magnet): Produced by bone-building cells, this protein remains asleep until Vitamin K-2 wakes it up. Once activated, Osteocalcin firmly binds free-floating calcium directly into the hydroxyapatite matrix of your bones and teeth.
✓Matrix Gla Protein / MGP (The Arterial Shield): MGP is the single most potent inhibitor of soft-tissue calcification known in the human body. When activated by Vitamin K-2, it repels calcium from blood vessel linings, preserving natural arterial elasticity and smooth circulation.
Clinical Validation: In a landmark 3-year randomized trial led by Dr. M.H.J. Knapen and published in Osteoporosis International, a daily nutritional dose of menaquinone-7 significantly prevented age-related bone mineral loss and sustained bone strength in postmenopausal women (PMID: 23525894). A companion 3-year trial in Thrombosis and Haemostasis verified that long-term MK-7 supplementation visibly prevented arterial stiffening and improved vascular elasticity (PMID: 25694037).
Why Menaquinone-7? Comparing Vitamin K1 vs. MK-4 vs. MK-7
Not all vitamin K forms behave the same way in your body. While leafy greens supply Vitamin K-1, and synthetic supplements often supply MK-4, Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) offers distinct biological advantages:
Form of Vitamin K
Primary Natural Source
Circulating Half-Life
Primary Destination in Body
Vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone)
Kale, spinach, collards
Short (~1 to 2 hours)
Liver (helps normal blood clotting)
Vitamin K2 (MK-4)
Dairy, animal organs, synthetics
Very Short (~2 to 4 hours)
Quickly cleared; requires massive doses 3x daily
Vitamin K-2 (MK-7)
Fermented foods, Chickpea
Long (~72 hours / 3 days)
Bones, blood vessel walls, and peripheral tissues
Research published in the journal Blood (Schurgers et al., PMID: 17158229) demonstrated that because MK-7 stays in your bloodstream for up to 3 full days, a modest daily dose of 50 mcg builds a stable, therapeutic blood level. Unlike MK-4, which requires taking large milligram doses multiple times a day, one single 50 mcg capsule of MK-7 provides continuous, 24-hour protection for both bone renewal and cardiovascular support.
The Chickpea Advantage: Pure, Soy-Free Fermentation
Most commercial Vitamin K2 MK-7 products are extracted from natto, a fermented Japanese soybean product. While effective, soy-based MK-7 presents significant hurdles for individuals with soy allergies, food sensitivities, or thyroid health concerns.
Solaray's Vitamin K-2 Menaquinone-7 (50 mcg) is uniquely derived from non-GMO, naturally fermented chickpea flour extract. This advanced extraction process guarantees:
✓100% Soy-Free: Safe for people allergic or sensitive to soy proteins.
✓All-Trans Isomers: Contains biologically active trans-forms that match the enzyme binding sites in human bone and vessel walls.
✓Lab-Verified Purity: Tested by in-house and third-party laboratories to ensure zero chemical solvent residues or heavy metals.
Nutritional Synergy: Pairing Vitamin K2 with Vitamin D3
Vitamins D3 and K2 form one of the body's most important nutritional teams. Taking Vitamin D3 stimulates your body to produce more calcium-binding proteins, but those proteins remain inactive until Vitamin K2 finishes the job.
Why You Should Avoid Taking High-Dose Vitamin D Alone:
When you supplement with Vitamin D3 alone, your intestines absorb large amounts of calcium. If Vitamin K2 levels are low, that newly absorbed calcium cannot be efficiently deposited into bones and is far more likely to accumulate in your arterial walls. Combining Vitamin K-2 Menaquinone-7 (50 mcg) with your daily Vitamin D3 ensures balanced calcium regulation throughout your body.
If you are currently prescribed Warfarin (Coumadin) or other coumarin-derivative Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), do not take this supplement without explicit supervision from your prescribing physician or cardiologist. Vitamin K in all forms directly counteracts the anticoagulant mechanism of Warfarin, which could alter your INR (International Normalized Ratio) and raise your risk of clotting.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs)
Newer blood thinners such as Apixaban (Eliquis) or Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) work via Factor Xa inhibition rather than Vitamin K recycling pathways. While research indicates MK-7 does not disrupt DOAC pharmacology in the same way it does Warfarin, always verify with your healthcare provider before introducing any form of Vitamin K2.
Directions for Daily Use
Take one (1) VegCap daily with a glass of water. Because Vitamin K-2 is a fat-soluble nutrient, taking it alongside a meal containing healthy fats (such as avocado, olive oil, eggs, or nuts) significantly boosts intestinal absorption. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Key Peer-Reviewed Scientific References
Our content is rigorously researched and grounded in clinical trials published in peer-reviewed medical journals:
Knapen MHJ, Braam LA, Drummen NE, Bekers O, Hoeks AP, Vermeer C. Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis International. 2013;24(9):2499-2507. [PubMed PMID: 23525894]
Knapen MHJ, Drummen NE, Smit E, Vermeer C, Theuwissen E. Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in healthy postmenopausal women: A double-blind randomised clinical trial. Thrombosis and Haemostasis. 2015;113(5):1135-1144. [PubMed PMID: 25694037]
Schurgers LJ, Teunissen KJ, Hamulyák K, Knapen MHJ, Vik H, Vermeer C. Vitamin K-containing dietary supplements: comparison of synthetic vitamin K1 and natto-derived menaquinone-7. Blood. 2007;109(8):3279-3283. [PubMed PMID: 17158229]
Geleijnse JM, Vermeer C, Grobbee DE, et al. Dietary intake of menaquinone is associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease: the Rotterdam Study. The Journal of Nutrition. 2004;134(11):3100-3105. [PubMed PMID: 15514282]
Theuwissen E, Cranenburg EC, Knapen MH, et al. Low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation improved extra-hepatic vitamin K status, but had no effect on thrombin generation in healthy subjects. British Journal of Nutrition. 2012;108(9):1652-1657. [PubMed PMID: 22289456]
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Vitamin K-2 Menaquinone-7 (50 mcg) used for?
Vitamin K-2 Menaquinone-7 (50 mcg) is primarily used to activate proteins that direct calcium to your bones and teeth while keeping calcium out of your arteries, heart valves, and soft tissues. It provides dual benefits: supporting long-term bone density and maintaining flexible, healthy blood vessels.
Why is chickpea-derived MK-7 better than soy-derived natto?
While both provide active menaquinone-7, chickpea-derived MK-7 is completely soy-free and non-GMO. Many individuals are allergic or sensitive to soy products. Using fermented defatted chickpeas delivers the same bioavailable all-trans MK-7 without introducing common allergens or phytoestrogen concerns.
Is 50 mcg of Vitamin K2 MK-7 an effective daily dose?
Yes. Because MK-7 has an exceptionally long half-life in the body (staying active for roughly 72 hours), a daily 50 mcg dose builds up stable blood concentrations over time. Clinical studies have shown that doses as low as 45 mcg to 90 mcg daily significantly improve extra-hepatic vitamin K status and activate protective proteins like Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla Protein.
Should I take Vitamin K2 with Vitamin D3?
Yes, combining them is highly recommended. Vitamin D3 increases the absorption of dietary calcium into your bloodstream, and Vitamin K2 activates the proteins required to incorporate that calcium into bone tissue. Without K2, higher levels of calcium from vitamin D supplementation risk remaining in your bloodstream and calcifying arterial walls.
When is the best time of day to take Vitamin K2?
Vitamin K2 is fat-soluble, so it is best taken with a meal that contains healthy dietary fats, such as breakfast or dinner with eggs, olive oil, avocado, or nuts. Taking it alongside a fat-containing meal increases absorption through your intestinal lining.
Can I take Vitamin K2 if I am taking blood thinners?
If you take Warfarin (Coumadin), you should not take Vitamin K2 without consulting your prescribing doctor, as it can directly counteract how the drug functions and alter your INR readings. If you take newer direct oral anticoagulants (such as Eliquis or Xarelto), speak with your physician before beginning supplementation.
