Vitamin K2 MK-4 vs MK-7: Which Is Better?

MK-4 and MK-7 are both forms of vitamin K2, but they don’t behave in quite the same way in the body. If you’re choosing a K2 supplement, MK-7 is usually the more practical option because it stays in the body much longer and can have an effect at much smaller doses. That doesn’t make MK-4 unimportant, though. It has some interesting research behind it too, especially for bone health, but the doses used in studies are often much higher than what you’ll find in a typical supplement. So, which one is actually better? Let’s look at the main differences and what the research says about bones, osteoporosis and heart health. MK-4 vs MK-7: What’s the difference? Vitamin K2 isn’t just one vitamin. It’s a group of related forms called menaquinones – simply the scientific name for the different forms of vitamin K2. This is where the “MK” comes from. MK-4 and MK-7 are the two forms you’re most likely to come across in supplements. One of the biggest differences between them is how long they stay in the blood. MK-4 is cleared fairly quickly, while MK-7 remains in circulation for longer. In research directly comparing MK-4 and MK-7, MK-7 built up in the blood with regular use, while MK-4 did not....