2024's Top 5 K2 Supplements For Bone and Heart Health
Updated 06/20/2024Here's what you need to know when picking a Vitamin K2 that actually works.
New research is showing that Vitamin K2 plays a bigger role in the body than initially suspected. It's crucial when it comes to creating stronger bones and improving blood circulation and is involved in many other important physiological processes. It's no wonder why K2 is becoming one of the most sought-after supplements on the market.
However, with K2's growing popularity many supplement brands are popping up overnight and looking to get rich with unproven claims and by using cheap fillers. Fortunately, Consumer Survey will teach you how Vitamin K2 actually affects the body, as well as what to look for and what to avoid when choosing a K2 supplement.
What Vitamin K2 Does
Vitamin K2 is an immensely important nutrient. Since we don't produce it naturally, it's important that we either eat foods that are rich in Vitamin K2 or supplement it.
In addition to keeping your bones healthy, K2 plays an important role in keeping your heart healthy too. Interestingly, these two aspects are deeply connected.
Calcium: Friend or foe?
We've all been told that calcium is the key to strong bones: the more we take in, the stronger our bones become. But that's not entirely accurate.
While calcium is essential to bone formation — it makes up about 65% of bone tissue — not all the calcium you consume ends up in your bones.
Excess calcium is stored in your blood vessels and soft tissue, including your arteries. Over time, however, it can build up and harden, constricting the flow of blood to your heart.
Vitamin K2 not only helps draw calcium away from your arteries and other soft tissue, it guides it toward your bones, where it can be absorbed.
K2 + D3 Dream Team
One of vitamin D3's many functions in the body is to increase the production of calcium, which is essential to bone mineralization.
Vitamin K2 acts like a chaperone for newly created calcium ions, leading them away from your arteries and soft tissues, where they can do harm, and into your bones and teeth, where they provide crucial support.
In fact, vitamins K2 and D3 are far more effective at supporting bone health together than either one is on their own.
The Two Main Forms Of K2
There are two main forms of vitamin K2: MK-4 and MK-7. Structurally, both versions are quite similar, however there are a few key differences between them. For example, MK-4 resides in the fat content of pasteurized eggs, meats, and dairy, while MK-7 primarily consists in fermented foods, like cheese and natto.
Additionally, MK-7 outperforms MK-4 in potency, bioavailability, and circulatory health benefits. Plus, it's completely vegan and dairy- and gluten-free.
Now that you know a little more about vitamin K2, here are a few tips on what to look for in an effective supplement.
What To Look For:
Clinically Tested Vitamin K2
Look for a version of MK-7 known as MenaQ7® in your vitamin K2 supplement, as it's one of the purest and most bioactive sources of MK-7 you can find.
MenaQ7® not only has an approved FDA safety rating, but remains the only clinically validated, patented version of vitamin K2 on the market today.
Paired With a Fatty Oil
Vitamin K2 is absorbed into the bloodstream most effectively when paired with fat (oil). A great K2 supplement will list one or more fatty oils (MCT, avocado, coconut, grapeseed, olive) in their ingredients.
Contains Vitamin D3
Vitamin D3 is essential in helping your body absorb calcium, while Vitamin K2 helps guide that calcium to the crucial areas in your body. Look for a supplement with at least 5000 IU of D3 for additional heart health support.
What To Avoid:
Magnesium Stearate
This additive binds ingredients together and lubricates the supplement so it doesn’t gum up manufacturing machines. However, recent studies suggest magnesium stearate can be toxic and may compromise the immune system. Some notable brands have stopped using this ingredient, but many have not so be vigilant when looking at the supplement facts.
Relying on Amazon Reviews
Millions of Americans look to Amazon reviews before purchasing their products, but most don’t realize that up to 60% of reviews are paid for, making them untrustworthy.
Top Picks are updated monthly based on testing and analyses:
Top Pick
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Consumers Survey Recommended
- Naturally sourced and clinically studied ingredients
- Contains MCT and avocado oil for max absorption
- 365-day money-
back guarantee
#1: K2+D3 By LiveWell Labs
LiveWell uses MenaQ7, a naturally sourced and clinically studied form of Vitamin K2 — and it lets us know were using a reliable supplement that's proven to get results.
The 100 mcg of K2 ingredient works with the 5000 IU dosage of Vitamin D3 to direct calcium to your bones instead of your arteries. We appreciate that LiveWell's D3 also includes organic avocado oil and MCT oil to ensure effective absorption.
Not only does LiveWell offer a comprehensive 365-day return policy, the brand also promotes a whole body approach to health that we really appreciate.
With all this in mind, we had to put LiveWell's D3 supplement at the top of our list.
Learn More About Our Top Pick > >
Rating
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#2: Bone boost by essential elements
Coming in a close second is Bone boost by Essential elements for its dynamite formula.
Bone boost contains 100 mcg of K2 and 50 mcg of D3. Although Bone boost's D3 level falls below 5,000 IU, we liked its inclusion of two other ingredients: Cissus quadrangularis and Calcium Hydroxyapatite.
Cissus quadrangularis, commonly known as veldt grape, has been shown to reduce bone loss and help in bone formation. Calcium Hydroxyapatite is a highly bioavailable form of calcium derived from bovine.
Rating
#3: k2+D3 by zhou nutrition
Good K2 Supplement
Zhou Nutrition uses the clinically studied MK-7 form of Vitamin K2 and vitamin D3 in their formulation.
Unfortunately, because it does not use a fatty oil, it is not as effective at being absorbed by your body as the LiveWell and Sports Research. And for that reason, we couldn't give it any higher than 3rd place.
They do have a 60-day money-back guarantee which is better than most, but keep in mind that it takes months of sustained use for the long term benefits, like calcium reduction in the arteries, to take effect.
Rating
#4: D3 + K2 Gummies by Nordic Naturals
Coming in at number 4 on our list is D3 + K2 by Nordic Naturals. This product is formulated with D3 as the star and lower levels of synthetic K2.
Additionally, a handful of customers reported that these gummies tasted too sugary. So if you’re trying to limit your sugar intake, you may want to be careful with the D3 + K2 by Nordic Naturals.
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#5: Vitamin D3 & K2 by NOW Foods
Vitamin D3 & K2 by NOW Foods ranked in our top five list because it contains the key ingredients listed above, and customers felt the difference from regular use.
However, we also noticed that it contains lower dosages of both K2 and D3 and doesn’t use a clinically-studied natural version. It's also one of the lowest-priced K2 & D3 supplements on the market.
With that in mind, we were wary of putting it anywhere above the last spot on our list. Compared to other brands we tested, however, it does deserve an honorable mention.
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P.S. While LiveWell's K2+D3 was the most effective K2 supplement we found, we would still love to hear about any others you've tried. If you have had a great experience of your own, please send me an email to Beverly@ConsumersSurvey.org with the details.
Sincerely,
Beverly Gratson,
Senior Health Editor
What We Do
ConsumersSurvey uses a unique three-step approach to reviewing the most popular products in the online marketplace
1. Research First we conduct in-house research with a highly qualified editorial team comprised of individuals who specialize in various fields.
2. SurveyWe survey our readers who have tried the product over time in order to learn from their experiences.
3. OpinionWe monitor public opinion in the world’s most popular marketplaces, from Amazon and eBay, to Bizrate and Pricegrabber.
As a consumer herself, Beverly is extremely dedicated to gathering and collecting reports and information and always on the lookout for highly-rated supplements. She's especially passionate about educating consumers in making wise decisions when it comes to purchasing health products.