Vitamin K2 for Osteoporosis

A 2000 study found that 45mg of vitamin K2 (MK-4) plus calcium daily was significantly more effective at reducing fractures (especially vertebral) and improving lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) in Japanese women with osteoporosis over 2 years than only calcium daily. A 2021 Danish study found that 325mcg (0.325mg) of vitamin K2 (MK-7) did not significantly improve bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia over 3 years compared to placebo. A 2023 British study found that 45mg of vitamin K2 (MK-4) did not significantly increase bone mineral density compared to placebo over 18 months in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis already taking bisphosphonate medication.

Shiraki M, Shiraki Y, Aoki C, Miura M. Vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) effectively prevents fractures and sustains lumbar bone mineral density in osteoporosis. J Bone Miner Res. 2000 Mar;15(3):515-21. doi: 10.1359/jbmr.2000.15.3.515. PMID: 10750566.

Rønn SH, Harsløf T, Oei L, Pedersen SB, Langdahl BL. The effect of vitamin MK-7 on bone mineral density and microarchitecture in postmenopausal women with osteopenia, a 3-year randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Osteoporos Int. 2021 Jan;32(1):185-191. doi: 10.1007/s00198-020-05638-z. Epub 2020 Oct 8. PMID: 33030563.

Moore AE, Dulnoan D, Voong K, Ayis S, Mangelis A, Gorska R, Harrington DJ, Tang JCY, Fraser WD, Hampson G. The additive effect of vitamin K supplementation and bisphosphonate on fracture risk in post-menopausal osteoporosis: a randomised placebo controlled trial. Arch Osteoporos. 2023 Jun 20;18(1):83. doi: 10.1007/s11657-023-01288-w. PMID: 37338608; PMCID: PMC10282078.