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)

Vitamin K2

- Menaquinone 4

Vitamin K2

- Menaquinone 7

• Made by plants and algae-

• Only 5-10% of ingested K1

reaches circulation

• Pharmacokinetics like K1

• Used in many studies due to

commercial availability

• Found in certain fermented foods

• Readily absorbed (nearly 100%) and

distributed to several tissues