The body requires 13 essential vitamins to function optimally. One of those nutrients that many people don’t often think about is Vitamin K. It’s advantageous for different areas of health and found in green vegetables, but if your customers are not keen on eating their veggies, a supplement manufactured by an award-winning full-service provider may be exactly what they need. Read on to learn more.
What is Vitamin K?
In 1929, Vitamin K was established as an essential nutrient for blood coagulation, or blood clotting. In the early 20th century, a dentist named Weston Price traveled the globe observing the dynamic between diet and disease among different populations. Price discovered that the nonindustrial diets were high in an unidentified nutrient, which seemed to provide protection against tooth decay and chronic disease. Referring to the mystery nutrient as activator X, it is now believed to have been Vitamin K2, which leads us to the two main forms of Vitamin K:
- Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone): found in plant foods (leafy greens)
- Vitamin K2 (menaquinone): found in fermented and animal foods. This form can be further divided into several different subtypes. The most important ones are MK-4 and MK-7.
How Do K1 and K2 Work?
Vitamin K activates proteins that play a role in calcium metabolism, heart health, and blood clotting. Some research has indicated that the roles of Vitamins K1 and K2 are different, and many scientists have indicated they should be classified as separate nutrients. In controlled studies, researchers determined that Vitamin K2 supplements may improve heart and bone health. Speaking of which, here are the benefits of maintaining Vitamin K levels altogether.
Benefits of Vitamin K
The heart: As you may know but your customers may not, a buildup of calcium in the arteries around the heart is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Vitamin K is thought to be able to prevent calcium from being deposited in the arteries, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease. In one study that lasted 7-10 years, people with the highest intake of Vitamin K2 were 52% less likely to die from heart disease. Another study comprising 16,057 women found that participants with the highest intake of Vitamin K2 had a much lower risk of the disease. In fact, for every 10 mcg of Vitamin K2 they consumed per day, heart disease risk was reduced by 9%.
Bones: Though more conclusive research is needed, numerous studies have linked sufficient Vitamin K intake with strong bones, as the nutrient has shown to improve bone density and decrease the risk of fractures.
Brain Function: Vitamin K is connected to better episodic memory in older adults. In one study, healthy individuals over the age of 70 with the highest blood levels of Vitamin K1 had the highest verbal episodic memory performance.
Once you have conducted your own research or looked further into the positive effects Vitamin K can have on the mind and body, beware of the cautions about which you should inform your customers. This can easily be done by adding a QR code or website link to your label. Mention it during your conversation with one of our graphic designers, they will help you out!
Know the Risks of Vitamin K
Warfarin, usually offered under the brand names Coumadin and Jantoven, is a blood thinner often used to help prevent blood clots. Warfarin can have a serious interaction with Vitamin K. Those who take this medication should be very careful maintaining the amount of Vitamin K they ingest daily, as a sudden change in that amount can cause dangerous bleeding or, on the other hand, blood clots.
Please note, the above may not be the only potential risk associated with consuming Vitamin K. Your customers should be as aware as possible before taking any dietary supplement. Therefore, we strongly suggest you include a section of caution that states something along the lines of “Before taking this or any dietary supplement, contact a doctor of licensed physician.” While those who take your product may benefit greatly from it, there are individuals whose health conditions or current medications could adversely affect them.
Target Consumers for Vitamin K Supplements
While Vitamin K is naturally found in many foods such as spinach, kale, lettuce, and broccoli, there are populations who are actively seeking a safe, high-quality Vitamin K product this very moment.
- Since cholesterol-lowering medications interact with fat absorption, dietary fat is required for absorbing Vitamin K, so people who are taking these medications may have a higher risk of deficiency. Therefore, your Vitamin K supplement could be the one these individuals choose.
- Those with dietary restrictions due to medical conditions may need to rely more on Vitamin K supplements to ensure they obtain the recommended daily dose, respective of their age and sex.
Types of Vitamin K Dietary Supplements to Manufacture
Vitamin K is most popularly sold in capsule and tablet form, and while Makers Nutrition specializes in manufacturing all sorts of vitamins and minerals, we can attest to the fact that these two types of supplements are indeed sought out most often. Our high-powered equipment can handle the largest of orders (and the smallest if you’re just starting out), and you can count on us to meet your standards.
Convenience of Vitamin K Supplements
Especially if your customers are not eating enough vegetables that contain Vitamin K, it’s up to your vitamin brand to offer easy-to-take supplements so these individuals can be up to par with their intake as much as they can. Be it a capsule or tablet, you will find an array of packaging options to even make storage of your brand name products convenient for customers. At home or on the go, our bottles, boxes, and bags are easy for everyone to use.
Why Makers Nutrition is the Manufacturing Company for You
When you manufacture supplements through Makers Nutrition, you are manufacturing through the company that truly goes the extra mile for its clients. We are the team of product specialists, account managers, graphic designers, administrative assistants, warehousing associates, and logistics professionals who work day in and day out to keep your project running smoothly. Be it a capsule, softgel, powder, or gummy, our superior supplement manufacturing capabilities and commitment to quality and customer service yields only the best possibilities for the benefit of your health brand. Unlike many vitamin manufacturers, Makers Nutrition is the turnkey service provider that lets no phone call go unanswered, no question unaddressed. If you have questions, don’t wait, contact us now!
Sources
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/219867#benefits
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-k2
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminK-Consumer/
- https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/vitamin-k-multivitamins-7130.html
- https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2022/01/25/2372243/0/en/Vitamin-K2-Market-to-Reach-USD-705-8-Million-by-2028-Demand-for-Nutraceutical-Products-to-Bloom-the-Market-Exclusive-Report-by-Vantage-Market-Research.html