SPDS eBook March 2017

Background on Vitamin K

“Vitamin K”,  the generic name for a family of compounds with a common  chemical structure of 2‐methyl‐1,4‐naphtoquinon, is a fat‐soluble vitamin.

Two Primary groups: • Vitamin K1  (phylloquinone, defined as the sum of  cis and  trans isomers)  • Vitamin K2  (the menaquinone series, MK4 through MK14).  MK4 and MK7 are the most well‐studied menaquinones.   Defined as all‐ trans K2‐MK4 and all‐ trans K2‐MK7 . 

Background on Vitamin K

Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone)

• Made by plants and algae- • Only 5-10% of ingested K1 reaches circulation

Vitamin K2 - Menaquinone 4

• Pharmacokinetics like K1 • Used in many studies due to commercial availability

Vitamin K2 - Menaquinone 7

• Found in certain fermented foods • Readily absorbed (nearly 100%) and distributed to several tissues