The newest product launch in the CSN Supplements range is a staple for most - Vitamin K2.

Why you should consider Vitamin K2

Getting vitamin K2 in our diets supports

Heart Health & Energy Production

As an athlete supplementing with K2 can help with energy production and heart health, because studies demonstrate that higher intakes of vitamin K2 can help to restore the function of mitochondria (the cells’ energy factories), and in particular, the ability of mitochondria to manufacture ATP, which is the body’s energy currency.

Heart muscle has a very high concentration of mitochondria as do the endurance fibres in skeletal muscle, and this has led some researchers to speculate as to whether dietary supplementation with vitamin K2 could increase the function of muscle with high mitochondrial content (ie skeletal and cardiac muscle), and thus improve endurance.

Another main function of vitamin K is modifying proteins in a way that enables them to bind calcium. However, the roles of vitamins K1 and K2 are quite different; vitamin K1 is mostly used by the liver to activate calcium-binding proteins involved in healthy blood clotting, preventing excessive bleeding and bruising when blood vessels get injured, while K2 is used to activate proteins that regulate where calcium ends up in the body. This is important because vitamin K2 appears to play a role in helping prevent calcium from being deposited in the arteries. That matters because calcification of the arteries is a key process in the aetiology of heart disease, and epidemiological studies show that people consuming higher levels of vitamin K2 are at lower risk of heart disease.

Scientists studying vitamin K2’s effects suggest its benefits come with a daily intake of between 10 and 45 micrograms. CSN Supplements Vitamin K2 comes in at 50mg.

Strong Bones

Our bodies need calcium to build and maintain bones. When it breaks down calcium in our bodies, vitamin K2 activates a protein that helps the mineral bind to our bones to do its job. 

While research is ongoing, studies show a higher K2 intake improves bone density and reduces the risk of bone fractures. 

For example current research suggests that bone health in athletes particarly runners, cyclists, and swimmers tends to be inferior to that seen in athletes of other sports.

The consequences of of this can include an increased rate of stress fracture and risk for fragility fractures later in life. 

A supplement such as CSN’s patented Vitamin K2 can help with bone health.  

Why choose CSN’s Vitamin K2?

CSN Supplements Vitamin K2 uses a pateneted form of k2 called MenaQ7

What is MenaQ7 - Natural MK-7

Naturally derived Vitamin K2 as MK-7 uses a fermentation medium with chickpea protein and Bacillus licheniformis. The result is a MenaQ7® variety free from all known allergens including soy. A proprietary multi-step process of purification, condensation, and crystallization produces a product that is more than 96% pure, natural, all-trans MK-7.

High Purity

An essential characteristic of a superior Vitamin K2 ingredient is the level of purity, which is important for the overall quality and efficacy of the end product.

Products with a high level of unknowns or impurities offer less of the beneficial effects of the MK-7 molecule. That is not the case with MenaQ7.

Every batch of MenaQ7® produced is controlled by HPLC.

All-trans MK-7:

Natural vitamin K occurs in the all-trans configuration, which has been proven to be the biologically active form– meaning that this configuration will activate the carboxylase enzyme, enabling it to further activate proteins like coagulation factors, Osteocalcin, and MGP, among others.

Research has established the efficacy of the trans–form, while the cis–isomers benefit and activity in the body is unknown.

MenaQ7® is an all-trans form of Vitamin K2 as MK-7.

• Safety

Both sources of MenaQ7® materials are given Novel Food status by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The scientific safety evaluation performed by EFSA is a solid confirmation to the public that the product is safe and beneficial.

MenaQ7® is also self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) in the United States, a designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stating that all necessary research, including the formation of an expert panel to review safety concerns, has been performed.

Recommended daily intake of vitamin K is 120 mcg/day (US) for men, 90 mcg/day (US) for women, and 30-55 mcg/day (US) for children.

A dose and safety study done by Theuwissen et al (2012)¹⁵ showed that extra intake of MK-7, as MenaQ7®, at nutritional doses around RDI improved the activation of proteins like Osteocalcin and Matrix Gla. No adverse effects of thrombin was observed

Why MenaQ7 is the best option for you

CSN Supplements wants to reassure you about Vitamin K2 MenaQ7® - so check out the below showing it is produced to meet the most stringent quality assurance measures.

cGMP: MenaQ7® adheres to current Good Manufacturing Practices. GMP describes the conditions and practices that are necessary for the processing, packing, or storage of food to ensure its safety and traceability.

ISO 22000: This International Standard specifies the requirements for a food safety management system that combines the following recognized 4 key elements to ensure food safety along the food chain, up to the point of final consumption:

• Interactive communication;
• System management;
• Prerequisite programmes; and
• HACCP principles.

Self-Affirmed GRAS: In the U.S., MenaQ7® is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS), a designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stating that all necessary research, including the formation of an expert panel to review safety concerns, has been performed.

Non GMO: Products have not been manufactured by a genetically modified organism (GMO), nor is the entire finished product formulated by ingredients which are of GMO sources. MenaQ7® has been certified by The Non-GMO Project (nongmoproject.org).

Halal: MenaQ7® products are not made form ingredients derived from animals, nor is ethanol used in any part of the production facilities or processes.

Kosher: MenaQ7® is not made from ingredients derived from animals or any non-Kosher plant or fruit part.

Suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians: Products are not manufactured with any raw material or processing aids of animal origin.