Direct calcium into your skeletal matrix where it belongs—and away from your arterial walls where it does not. KAL K-2 MK-7 Lozenge provides 100 mcg of biologically active, fermented menaquinone-7 (MK-7) in a rapid-dissolving, natural lemon-flavored micro-tablet. Formulated with allergen-conscious chickpea extract rather than fermented soy, this micro-lozenge offers instant oral breakdown for rapid, reliable absorption without requiring water or bulky capsules.
✓ Target Mineral Delivery
Activates osteocalcin proteins to lock dietary calcium firmly into bone crystalline structures.
✓ Cardiovascular Elasticity
Energizes Matrix Gla-Protein (MGP) to prevent free calcium from hardening in arterial walls.
✓ 72-Hour Blood Circulation
Natural MK-7 maintains therapeutic blood levels far longer than standard synthetic Vitamin K1 or MK-4.
✓ Fast ActivMelt® Lozenge
Instant oral melt technology in a pleasant natural lemon flavor—ideal for those who dislike swallowing pills.
The "Calcium Paradox": Why Calcium Alone Is Not Enough
For decades, bone wellness programs centered solely on high-dose calcium and vitamin D supplementation. However, modern nutritional biochemistry has identified a significant clinical challenge known as the Calcium Paradox: without an adequate biochemical "routing switch," consumed calcium does not automatically find its way into bones. Instead, excess unbound calcium can drift into soft connective tissues, accumulating as rigid deposits within coronary arteries, heart valves, and joint linings.
Think of Vitamin D3 as the mineral gatekeeper and Vitamin K2 (MK-7) as the traffic director:
Vitamin D3 stimulates your gut to pull calcium efficiently out of food into your bloodstream.
Vitamin K2 (MK-7) produces the biochemical signal required to clear that calcium from circulating blood and cement it directly into the skeletal matrix.
By activating two vital dependent proteins—Osteocalcin in bone and Matrix Gla-Protein (MGP) in arterial walls—a daily 100 mcg K-2 MK-7 lozenge ensures calcium promotes strong skeletal density without compromising cardiovascular flexibility.
How KAL K-2 MK-7 Works: Simple Explanations of Key Mechanisms
1. Osteocalcin Activation (Skeletal Strength)
Osteoblasts (the specialized cells that construct bone) create a protein called osteocalcin. In its resting state, osteocalcin is "uncarboxylated" or inactive—much like an open claw that cannot latch onto anything. Vitamin K2 acts as an essential molecular cofactor that chemically modifies (carboxylates) osteocalcin, snapping the claw shut around calcium ions and anchoring them securely into the hydroxyapatite crystalline bone scaffold.
Matrix Gla-Protein is the human body's primary natural defense mechanism against arterial stiffening. When activated by Vitamin K-2 MK-7, MGP binds free-floating calcium circulating inside blood vessel walls and clears it from arterial tissue, preserving arterial compliance and long-term cardiovascular health.
3. MK-7 vs. MK-4 and Vitamin K1: Superior 72-Hour Bioavailability
While regular dietary Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone from leafy greens) concentrates predominantly in the liver for blood-clotting factors, it clears from circulation within hours. Synthetic MK-4 has an equally fleeting biological half-life. In contrast, Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) has a documented circulating half-life of roughly 72 hours. This sustained bioavailability allows MK-7 to circulate continuously throughout peripheral tissues, bones, and blood vessels day and night.
Clinical Research & Peer-Reviewed Evidence
The therapeutic value of menaquinone-7 is validated across extensive double-blind, placebo-controlled human trials and large population studies:
Knapen et al., 2013 – 3-Year Bone Mineral Density Trial
In a 3-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 244 healthy postmenopausal women, daily supplementation with menaquinone-7 significantly improved vitamin K status, prevented age-related bone mineral content loss at the femoral neck and lumbar spine, and preserved bone mechanical strength. Source: Osteoporosis International, 24(9), 2499–2507 (doi:10.1007/s00198-013-2325-6).
Knapen et al., 2015 – 3-Year Arterial Stiffness Study
Clinical investigation demonstrated that long-term MK-7 supplementation significantly decreased circulating uncarboxylated MGP (dp-ucMGP) levels and produced measurable improvements in arterial wall elasticity and pulse wave velocity (a key metric of arterial stiffness), notably in subjects with baseline stiffness. Source: Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 113(5), 1135–1144 (doi:10.1160/TH14-08-0675).
Geleijnse et al., 2004 – The Landmark Rotterdam Cohort Study
Following 4,807 subjects over a 7- to 10-year period, researchers discovered that subjects in the highest tertile of dietary menaquinone intake experienced a 57% reduction in death from coronary heart disease and a marked decrease in severe aortic calcification, whereas dietary intake of vitamin K1 showed no protective cardiovascular association. Source: The Journal of Nutrition, 134(11), 3100–3105 (doi:10.1093/jn/134.11.3100).
Schurgers et al., 2007 – Comparative Pharmacokinetics of MK-7 vs. K1
Pharmacokinetic analysis confirmed that MK-7 displays a 3-day elimination half-life, yielding stable 6-fold higher serum concentrations during steady-state administration than Vitamin K1 and generating significantly higher levels of carboxylated osteocalcin in extrahepatic tissues. Source: Blood, 109(8), 3279–3283 (doi:10.1182/blood-2006-08-040709).
The ActivMelt® Advantage: Why Choose a Lozenge Over Hard Pills?
Traditional vitamin tablets and dry capsules rely heavily on robust stomach acid, bile secretion, and full gastrointestinal digestion for breakdown. For adults with sluggish digestion, low stomach acid, or difficulty swallowing pills (dysphagia), nutrient uptake from compressed tablets can be unpredictable.
Fast Oral Dissolution
KAL's proprietary ActivMelt® micro-tablet disintegrates quickly upon contact with saliva. Simply place it on or under your tongue and let it melt smoothly without requiring water.
Soy-Free Chickpea Fermentation
Most commercial Vitamin K2 supplements are isolated from natto (fermented soy), posing allergen risks. KAL sources its MK-7 from naturally fermented, defatted chickpeas for an allergen-conscious, non-GMO alternative.
Sugar-Free Citrus Flavor
Lightly flavored with natural lemon and sweetened with calorie-free stevia leaf extract, this micro-lozenge leaves no chalky residue or chemical aftertaste.
Anticoagulant Drug Interaction Notice: If you are currently prescribed anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications such as Warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, do NOT take Vitamin K supplements without direct medical supervision from your prescribing physician. Vitamin K directly counteracts the mechanism of action of coumarin-based blood thinners.
General Usage: As with any dietary supplement, consult your qualified healthcare practitioner before use if you are pregnant, nursing, have a diagnosed medical condition, or take prescription drugs. Keep out of reach of children. Store in a cool, dry place.
Expert Guidance: How to Use KAL K-2 MK-7 Lozenges
Suggested Directions
Dissolve 1 ActivMelt® micro-tablet on the tongue or sublingually under the tongue daily. Alternatively, it can be chewed or swallowed, though oral dissolution provides the fastest breakdown.
Optimal Nutrient Pairing
Because Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble nutrient, take this lozenge alongside a meal containing healthy fats (such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado, or nuts), or pair it with your daily Vitamin D3 supplement for synergistic calcium transport.
Retailer Quality Commitment
Supplied directly from trusted manufacturer inventories. Every batch undergoes rigorous identity, potency, heavy metal, and micro-organism testing according to current FDA Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a K-2 MK-7 lozenge, and how does it differ from standard swallowable pills?
A K-2 MK-7 lozenge is a quick-dissolving micro-tablet designed to dissolve directly in your mouth. Rather than needing to swallow a capsule with water and waiting for gastrointestinal breakdown, the lozenge breaks down upon contact with saliva. This provides an easy, comfortable option for anyone who dislikes swallowing tablets or suffers from digestive absorption issues.
Why is MK-7 considered superior to Vitamin K1 or Vitamin K2 MK-4?
Vitamin K1 is utilized almost entirely by the liver for blood coagulation factors and clears your system within a few hours. Vitamin K2 MK-4 also clears from the bloodstream quickly, often requiring multiple high doses daily. MK-7 (menaquinone-7) possesses an exceptionally long 72-hour half-life. This extended retention time allows it to circulate non-stop to peripheral tissues, bones, and blood vessels where it maintains steady, around-the-clock bone and vascular protection.
Is this KAL K-2 MK-7 lozenge made from soy?
No. While many generic Vitamin K2 products rely on fermented Japanese natto made from soybeans, KAL utilizes an allergen-free, non-GMO extract derived from fermented defatted chickpeas. This ensures those with soy sensitivities or allergies can safely enjoy the full benefits of natural MK-7.
Why should I take Vitamin K2 if I am already taking Vitamin D3 and Calcium?
Vitamin D3 stimulates your body to absorb calcium into the bloodstream. However, D3 does not dictate where that calcium goes. Vitamin K2 activates the proteins Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla-Protein (MGP), which ensure the newly absorbed calcium binds to bone tissue rather than depositing into your cardiovascular arterial walls.
Can I take this supplement if I am taking blood-thinning medication?
If you are taking prescription anticoagulants such as Warfarin (Coumadin®), you must consult your physician before taking any form of Vitamin K. Vitamin K plays a direct biochemical role in blood-clotting pathways and can counteract the therapeutic dosing of blood-thinning drugs.
What time of day is best to dissolve the lozenge?
Because Vitamin K2 is fat-soluble, it is best dissolved immediately following a meal or snack containing healthy fats (such as breakfast with eggs, avocado, or yogurt, or alongside dinner). Taking it consistently with food supports optimal absorption.
