Fat-soluble vitamin cofactor
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About Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone)
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About Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone)
Overview and History
Vitamin K2 (menaquinone) belongs to the vitamin K family of fat-soluble quinones. After the original discovery of vitamin K in the 1930s, multiple K2 isoforms (commonly called MK-n) were identified; they occur in certain animal and fermented foods and are also produced by some gut bacteria.
Biochemically, K2 serves as a cofactor for gamma-glutamyl carboxylase, the enzyme that converts specific glutamate residues into gamma-carboxyglutamate (Gla) on target proteins. These Gla proteins are involved in calcium binding and other molecular interactions across bone, vascular tissue, and liver. K2 circulates on lipoproteins and its availability reflects dietary sources, fat absorption, transport, and cellular utilization.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Elevated circulating K2 may reflect recent dietary intake or supplementation, altered lipoprotein transport, changes in clearance, or laboratory timing and method differences; interpretation requires correlation with lipid and vitamin data. Low K2 levels can suggest limited dietary intake, impaired fat absorption or transport, or increased functional demand leading to undercarboxylated vitamin K–dependent proteins. As a single value, K2 is most informative when reviewed alongside other fat-soluble vitamins, lipid measures, bone or vascular markers, and relevant genetic variants.
Featured Test
Nutrient Zoomer includes Vitamin K2 to assess fat-soluble vitamin status, transport, and functional availability. K2 measurement helps differentiate whether reduced activation of vitamin K–dependent proteins stems from intake, absorption, transport, or utilization and complements bone, lipid, and genetic data to support personalized nutrition decisions.
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Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
