The Study
The effect of menaquinone-7 (vitamin K2) supplementation on osteocalcin carboxylation in healthy prepubertal children
This study gave some kids a vitamin K2 pill and others a fake pill, then checked if their bones made a special protein better. It found that the kids who took the real pill had better protein activity. That means the pill caused the change—not just that they were different to begin with.
Analysis score
Maximum 90 for a randomized controlled trial.
Where the score came from
Kids' bones need a special vitamin called K2 to make a protein that helps them grow strong. This study gave kids a small daily pill of K2 to see if it helped.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 554 / 100
Quality score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1Yes — this means their bones were better able to use vitamin K to build strong bone protein, even though their bones didn't grow faster or slower.
- 2Kids who took the K2 pill had 30% less inactive bone protein and more active K2 in their blood.
- 3Kids who took the fake pill didn't change.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
British Journal of Nutrition
Year
2009
Authors
M. V. van Summeren, L. Braam, M. Lilien, L. Schurgers, W. Kuis, C. Vermeer
Related Content
Claims (6)
Taking vitamin K2 supplements leads to the activation of vitamin K-dependent carboxylation pathways in humans.
Taking 45 micrograms of menaquinone-7 daily for 8 weeks did not cause any adverse effects in healthy children before puberty, and most children took the supplement as directed.
Giving 45 micrograms of menaquinone-7 daily for 8 weeks does not change levels of bone turnover markers or blood clotting parameters in healthy children who have not yet reached puberty.
In healthy children aged 6 to 10, taking 45 micrograms of vitamin K2 daily for 8 weeks lowers the ratio of inactive to active osteocalcin by about 30%, with no change in bone turnover or blood clotting markers.
Taking 45 micrograms of menaquinone-7 daily for 8 weeks raises levels of MK-7 in the blood of healthy children who have not yet reached puberty, without changing blood clotting measures or bone metabolism markers.
Healthy children before puberty have a higher ratio of undercarboxylated osteocalcin to carboxylated osteocalcin compared to young adults.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.