Vitamin K2 (MK-7 vs MK-4) and bones & joints
What 2 graded rows on vitamin k2 (mk-7 vs mk-4) agree on for bones & joints, and where they differ. Counted side by side, never averaged.
Consensus finder Rows from the Vitamin K2 (MK-7 vs MK-4) page, reviewed Oct 21, 2026 How it decides
What the rows agree on
Each block and row is one graded row from the Vitamin K2 (MK-7 vs MK-4) page, with its PubMed record.
Your question
Vitamin K2 (MK-7 vs MK-4) and bones & joints
2 rows · 625 peopleSplit. 1 row found an improvement and 1 found no difference.
- CGrade C× 1
- ∅No effect× 1
- Rows
- 2
- Trials
- 2
- People
- 625
Where they differ
From the rowsThe best-graded row, grade C, is a randomized trial of 244 people (2013) and found an improvement. 1 row is graded No effect, our grade for adequately powered trials that found no effect.
The row that found an improvement ran longer (3 years) than the row that found no difference (12 months).
The row that found an improvement is newer (2013) than the row that found no difference (2009).
The rows
1 improved · 1 no difference- CGrade CAge-related bone density loss with MK-7 · Improved
RCT · n 244 · 2013 · Healthy postmenopausal women
180 mcg/day · 3 years
MK-7 improved vitamin K status and reduced the decline in bone mineral content and density at the lumbar spine and femoral neck, but not the total hip; bone strength indices and vertebral height loss in the lower thoracic spine also favored MK-7.
Row on the Vitamin K2 (MK-7 vs MK-4) page · PubMed 23525894 (opens PubMed)
- ∅No effectBone density with high-dose MK-4 (or K1) · No difference
RCT · n 381 · 2009 · Healthy postmenopausal North American women without osteoporosis, all on calcium and vitamin D3
MK-4 45 mg/day; K1 1 mg/day · 12 months
Both forms lowered undercarboxylated osteocalcin but did not change bone turnover markers, lumbar spine or hip bone density, or hip geometry.
Row on the Vitamin K2 (MK-7 vs MK-4) page · PubMed 19113922 (opens PubMed)