Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Menaquinone-7) 45 mcg
Carlson
Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Menaquinone-7) 45 mcg
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(1911 ratings)
Vitamin K 45 mcg
Score 88.0
A straightforward, cost-effective K2 (MK-7) supplement from a reputable brand, ideal for those seeking focused bone and heart support or independent K2 supplementation.
Quantity: 90 Softgel(s)Servings size: 1 Softgel(s) (90 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Bone Health
Heart Health
Cardiovascular Support
General Health
leaderboard Score 88.0
A straightforward, cost-effective K2 (MK-7) supplement from a reputable brand, ideal for those seeking focused bone and heart support or independent K2 supplementation.
Quantity: 180Dose: K:180mcg, Quantity: 90Dose: K:180mcg, Quantity: 180Dose: K:90mcg, Quantity: 60Dose: K:90mcg, Quantity: 120
insights Analysis
Carlson Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Menaquinone-7) 45 mcg provides a focused dose of Vitamin K2 in the highly bioavailable Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) form. At 45mcg, it's suitable for daily maintenance of Vitamin K levels to support bone mineralization and cardiovascular health by helping to prevent arterial calcification. This is a good choice for individuals who already supplement with Vitamin D separately or prefer to control their D3 intake independently. Carlson is a well-established brand, often recommended by nutritionists and earning positive online reviews for its quality and purity. Its straightforward formulation and reasonable price make it a solid option for targeted K2 supplementation without additional ingredients.
- Contains the highly bioavailable and long-acting MK-7 form of K2.
- Excellent price per serving for an MK-7 product, offering great value.
- From a reputable and long-standing brand known for quality and purity.
- Simple formulation without unnecessary additives, suitable for those who prefer standalone supplements.
- Does not include Vitamin D3, requiring separate supplementation for optimal synergistic benefits for bone health.
- The 45mcg dose might be considered a maintenance dose and could be insufficient for higher therapeutic needs.
$18.28($0.20 per serving)
 Pure Formulas | $ 18.28 | |
 iHerb | $ 18.28 | |
 Vitacost | $ 18.28 |
bolt Effectiveness for goals
Vitamin K is essential for proper blood clotting and plays a significant role in bone metabolism. It helps the body produce proteins necessary for these vital bodily functions.
Vitamin K activates proteins such as osteocalcin, which are crucial for incorporating calcium into the bone matrix. This mechanism supports bone mineralization and helps maintain bone density.
Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is primarily effective for blood coagulation and is abundant in green leafy vegetables. Vitamin K2 (menaquinones) is more involved in bone and cardiovascular health, found in fermented foods and animal products, and has different bioavailabilities.
Emerging research suggests that Vitamin K, particularly K2, may help prevent arterial calcification by activating matrix Gla protein. This protein helps inhibit calcium deposition in soft tissues, supporting arterial flexibility.
Vitamin K works synergistically with calcium by helping to direct calcium to the bones and away from soft tissues like arteries. It activates proteins like osteocalcin for bone binding and matrix Gla protein to inhibit soft tissue calcification.
schedule Dosage, timing & forms
Recommended dosages for Vitamin K vary by age and form (K1 vs K2). For adults, the Adequate Intake (AI) for Vitamin K is 120 mcg per day for men and 90 mcg per day for women. Specific supplemental dosages may differ depending on individual needs and health goals.
Yes, dosages can differ between Vitamin K1 and K2 due to their varying potencies and half-lives. While K1 is measured in micrograms (mcg) for general intake, K2 (especially MK-7) may be effective at lower microgram doses due to its longer half-life. It's important to check the specific form and dosage on the supplement label.
Yes, Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it is best absorbed when taken with a meal containing some dietary fat. This helps facilitate its absorption into the body.
The two main forms of Vitamin K found in supplements are Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and Vitamin K2 (menaquinone). Vitamin K2 further has various subtypes, with MK-4 and MK-7 being the most common in supplements. Each form may have distinct roles and bioavailability.
There is no established Upper Limit (UL) for Vitamin K from food or supplements, as toxicity is rare. However, high doses of synthetic Vitamin K (menadione, K3) can be toxic, though this form is not typically found in supplements. Always adhere to recommended dosages and consult a healthcare provider if you have concerns.
health_and_safety Safety & interactions
Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting, which is the opposite effect of anticoagulant medications such as warfarin. Consuming inconsistent amounts of Vitamin K can alter warfarin's effectiveness, potentially making the blood thinner less effective or increasing bleeding risk. Individuals taking warfarin should maintain a consistent intake of Vitamin K and consult their healthcare provider.
Individuals taking anticoagulant medications like warfarin should consult their doctor before taking Vitamin K supplements due to potential interactions. People with certain liver conditions or those with a G6PD deficiency should also seek medical advice before supplementation. Always discuss new supplements with a healthcare provider.
Vitamin K supplements are generally considered safe for most healthy individuals when taken at recommended dosages. Side effects are uncommon but can include upset stomach, diarrhea, or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. High doses of synthetic Vitamin K (menadione, K3) can be toxic, but this form is rarely used in supplements.
Vitamin K is essential during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and adequate intake is important for both mother and child. However, supplementation during these periods should only be undertaken under the guidance of a healthcare professional. High doses are generally not recommended without specific medical advice.
There is currently no established Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Vitamin K from food or supplements due to its low potential for toxicity. However, excessive intake, especially of synthetic forms, could potentially have adverse effects. It is always best to adhere to recommended dosages on supplement labels or as advised by a healthcare professional.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount per serving |
|---|---|
Vitamin K2 | 45 mcg |
Categories
Vitamin K 90.0
Provides Vitamin K in the highly preferred Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) form, recognized for its superior bioavailability, longer half-life, and effectiveness for systemic benefits compared to other K forms.
Goals
Bone Health 85.0
Vitamin K2 (MK-7) directly activates proteins like osteocalcin, which are essential for integrating calcium into the bone matrix, significantly contributing to bone strength and health by ensuring proper calcium utilization.
Heart Health 85.0
MK-7 is critical for activating Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), which inhibits calcium deposition in arterial walls, thereby protecting cardiovascular health and maintaining arterial flexibility, as supported by numerous studies.
By actively preventing calcification of soft tissues, particularly arteries, this product offers direct and significant support for maintaining healthy cardiovascular function and integrity, crucial for long-term heart wellness.
Recommended Alternatives
85 Value 
Prenatal Blend
Super Nutrition
4.5
★★★★★
(1930 ratings)
Contains a higher dose of K2 (85mcg) from a good brand at a slightly higher price per serving (36 vs 20), offering better K2 potency for the price for a standalone K2 focus, even within a prenatal context.
87 Value 
Ancient Nutrients Vitamin D
Ancient Nutrition
4.8
★★★★★
(396 ratings)
While slightly more expensive per serving (42 vs 20), this product offers a higher dose of K2 MK-7 (90mcg) and includes Vitamin D, providing a synergistic benefit that the Carlson K2-only product lacks, representing better overall value for combined support.
92 Value 
Vitamins D and K with Sea-lodine
Life Extension
4.8
★★★★★
(20811 ratings)
Provides a very high dose of Vitamin K (2100mcg, likely including MK-7) and Vitamin D, along with Iodine, at a competitive price per serving (25). This offers significantly more potency and a D+K combination for only a slightly higher cost per serving, representing excellent value.
95 Performance 
Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Menaquinone-7) 180 mcg
Carlson
4.8
★★★★★
(179 ratings)
Provides a significantly higher dose of the same superior MK-7 form (180mcg vs 45mcg), making it more effective for individuals seeking higher therapeutic K2 intake for advanced bone and cardiovascular support.
95 Performance 
ADK Vitamins
Codeage
4.8
★★★★★
(1294 ratings)
Offers an exceptionally high dose of K2 MK-7 (1800mcg) along with Vitamins A and D, providing a comprehensive and potent synergistic blend for optimal bone and cardiovascular health that surpasses a standalone K2.
90 Performance 
Super K
Life Extension
4.7
★★★★★
(11302 ratings)
This Life Extension product provides a very high dose of 2600mcg of Vitamin K (likely a blend including MK-7), from a highly reputable brand, offering superior K supplementation for advanced bone and cardiovascular support.
80 Budget 
Vitamin K-2 100 mcg
NOW
4.8
★★★★★
(13261 ratings)
Offers a higher quantity of K2 (100mcg) in the MK-4 form at a significantly lower price per serving (7 vs 20), making it a very economical K2 source, despite MK-4's shorter half-life and need for higher doses for systemic effects.
80 Budget 
Vitamin K-2 100 mcg
NOW
4.8
★★★★★
(13824 ratings)
Provides 100mcg of K2 (MK-4) at a lower price per serving (9 vs 20), offering a more affordable way to supplement K2, though it's not the more systemically effective MK-7 form.
60 Budget 
Sentry Adults
21st Century
4.7
★★★★★
(23601 ratings)
While a general multivitamin with Vitamin K1 (25mcg) at a very low price per serving (4), its K1 content is less effective for the primary K2 goals of bone and heart health compared to MK-7, making it a cheaper but less targeted alternative.
85 Value
Prenatal Blend
Super Nutrition
4.5
★★★★★
(1930 ratings)
Contains a higher dose of K2 (85mcg) from a good brand at a slightly higher price per serving (36 vs 20), offering better K2 potency for the price for a standalone K2 focus, even within a prenatal context.
87 Value
Ancient Nutrients Vitamin D
Ancient Nutrition
4.8
★★★★★
(396 ratings)
While slightly more expensive per serving (42 vs 20), this product offers a higher dose of K2 MK-7 (90mcg) and includes Vitamin D, providing a synergistic benefit that the Carlson K2-only product lacks, representing better overall value for combined support.
92 Value
Vitamins D and K with Sea-lodine
Life Extension
4.8
★★★★★
(20811 ratings)
Provides a very high dose of Vitamin K (2100mcg, likely including MK-7) and Vitamin D, along with Iodine, at a competitive price per serving (25). This offers significantly more potency and a D+K combination for only a slightly higher cost per serving, representing excellent value.
95 Performance
Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Menaquinone-7) 180 mcg
Carlson
4.8
★★★★★
(179 ratings)
Provides a significantly higher dose of the same superior MK-7 form (180mcg vs 45mcg), making it more effective for individuals seeking higher therapeutic K2 intake for advanced bone and cardiovascular support.
95 Performance
ADK Vitamins
Codeage
4.8
★★★★★
(1294 ratings)
Offers an exceptionally high dose of K2 MK-7 (1800mcg) along with Vitamins A and D, providing a comprehensive and potent synergistic blend for optimal bone and cardiovascular health that surpasses a standalone K2.
90 Performance
Super K
Life Extension
4.7
★★★★★
(11302 ratings)
This Life Extension product provides a very high dose of 2600mcg of Vitamin K (likely a blend including MK-7), from a highly reputable brand, offering superior K supplementation for advanced bone and cardiovascular support.