A press release explains that vitamin K2 menaquinone-7 (MK-7 is necessary for the activation of matrix Gla protein (MGP), a protein that inhibits the calcification of arteries. That calcification begins in elastin fibers, which keep tissues resilient. Elastin is present in lung tissue, where active MGP is expressed, indicating the importance of vitamin K2 MK-7.
Related: Study Associates Low Vitamin K With CVD Risk Paper Establishes Need For Vitamin K2-Specific RDI Vitamin D Sufficiency Linked With Better COVID-19 Outcomes
The researchers concluded: “MK-7 deficiency can be a risk factor for increasing the severity of the COVID-19 disease, and SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with comorbid conditions tend to develop acute manifestations.”“Evidence continues to mount that MK-7’s mechanism of action has a considerable impact on protecting human health,” said NattoPharma Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hogne Vik in the press release. “Of course, a dietary supplement is not a cure or a treatment, but over time, MK-7 can fortify the body’s resilience to age-related conditions and viral infection. This is the second study that associates K2 status with outcomes in COVID-19 patients. More research in this area is warranted and necessary.”