Thorne Vitamin K Review

Vitamin K is the only ingredient, and this product gives far more each day than the 180 micrograms that worked in studies. A large review of 16 trials in 6,425 women after menopause found vitamin K2 improved lower spine bone density, but fractures did not clearly drop, and there were no extra side effects ^[1]. A review of eight trials in 971 people found vitamin K taken with vitamin D raised total bone density ^[2]. A review of 43 trials in 5,184 women after menopause found vitamin K raised a blood marker of bone building ^[3]. In a three year placebo trial of 244 healthy women after menopause, 180 micrograms a day of vitamin K2 slowed bone loss in the spine and hip ^[4]. Results are not uniform. A three year trial of 452 older adults taking 500 micrograms of vitamin K1 with calcium and vitamin D found no change in bone density ^[5]. A trial of 440 women with low bone density taking 5 milligrams of vitamin K1 also found no change in bone density, though fewer women had fractures, a small side finding ^[6]. Overall, the support is strongest for vitamin K2 and for the lower spine. Animal and cell studies are never counted.

Vitamin K is the main ingredient here, and the panel leans clearly toward using or recommending it, with most of them focused on vitamin K2. Six of the ten take it themselves, usually 90 to 100 micrograms in the morning for general health or longevity, and one of them specifies the MK-7 form. The main reasons given are bone strength and keeping calcium in the bones and out of the arteries, with some also pointing to joint, metabolic and heart health. Three panelists say to take K2 together with vitamin D3, and one suggests it for kids too, while one earlier statement mentions a much larger daily amount of 40 to 45 milligrams for osteoporosis. Several also point to food sources such as leafy greens, natto and grass-fed butter, and the only caution came from one panelist who warned that some multivitamins carry too much of another mineral, not vitamin K itself.

Combine with: Vitamin K (particularly K2 as menaquinone-4 or MK-7, and K1) activates osteocalcin, which helps bind calcium into the bone matrix, and matrix Gla protein, which helps keep calcium out of soft tissues such as arteries. It pairs well with vitamin D3, which improves calcium absorption and works in tandem with K2 to direct calcium appropriately. Calcium (ideally from food or a modest supplemental dose of citrate or microcrystalline hydroxyapatite) and magnesium (glycinate or citrate), which is needed to activate vitamin D and supports bone mineral structure, are also useful. Other supportive additions include boron, zinc, and collagen peptides for the organic bone matrix, along with adequate protein and weight-bearing exercise. Note that anyone taking a med or other vitamin K antagonist meds should consult their physician before using vitamin K, since it can interfere with the medication.