“Too many” unprotected K2+minerals products are sold to consumers, says Kappa Bioscience

25 Sep 2019 --- Global research evaluating the quality of vitamin K2 products by Kappa Bioscience (Kappa), maker of K2VITAL vitamin K2 MK-7, has revealed a dearth in “K2+minerals” products that are able to meet label claims. With the mainstreaming of vitamin K2, the company pegs independent quality testing as a solution that best protects the industry and consumers from the spread of these products on the market. This study is positioned as a foundation for new industry transparency initiatives planned for 2020.

Kappa’s research underscores that “too many” unprotected K2+minerals products are sold to consumers. Less than one in five tested in the assessment met label claims. About half of K2-alone or K2 non-mineral formulations also performed poorly, and many contained high amounts of biologically inactive cis MK-7. Recommendations garnered from the study include using microencapsulated MK-7 in mineral formulations and for brand-owners to spot-test using independent labs.

In the study, over 400 unique vitamin K2 products were tested between 2010 to 2019 to investigate quality and stability. The study tested K2 products sold to consumers using industry-standard testing methodologies.

Kappa Bioscience advocates independent quality testing across industry.Vitamin K2 promotes bone and cardiovascular health, and consumer products frequently pair K2 with calcium or magnesium. K2VITAL promotes bone and heart health by activating two proteins that balance calcium in the body. Vitamin K2 provides synergistic benefits to calcium, magnesium and omega 3 in a formulation and is a natural complement to vitamin D3.

Alone, however, K2 is not stable with added minerals. To solve the inherent K2 stability problem, Kappa Biosciencs developed protected, microencapsulated K2VITAL DELTA, which features two water dispersible coatings that make the K2 MK‑7 more resistant to harsh environments. 

Findings of the global study highlights the increased use of stability-enhanced K2 MK-7. While three K2 ingredient manufacturers outlined in the study now offer stability-enhanced MK-7, Kappa pegs its own branded K2VITAL DELTA as the dominant market solution. In 2019, Kappa also launched a 1 percent concentration DELTA, which is designed to provide more than 100,000 daily doses of 90µg/kg of the vitamin at cost of less than two cents, allowing for a smaller dose form.

“These results demonstrate challenges in the K2 market,” says Jörg Büttinghaus, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Kappa. “Independent quality testing is a solution that protects the industry and consumers. We know that other premium ingredient manufacturers agree, and that the time is right to implement new standards of quality, transparency and ethical behavior. We would like to hear from any company that has also had to fight for quality in their market.”

Explosive vitamin K2 growth has been driven by many factors, including increased consumer awareness and a consistently declining ingredient price, notes Garnet Pigden, President of Kappa. “A current daily dose costs less than two cents, allowing K2 to be used in a broader number of product categories. The new study demonstrates that while K2 is moving onto the mainstream, brand owners should take care to use only quality K2 and investigate options for protected K2 in formulations that require stability solutions.”

Healthy aging, joint health and mobility, and sports nutrition are just a few of the market categories currently leveraging the bone and heart health benefits of K2.

Kappa Bioscience will present findings of the global study on K2 quality at Supply Side West, held on October 15 to 19 in Las Vegas, US. In addition, the company will be exhibiting a preview and discussion of innovative cardiovascular and bone health solutions, each including K2VITAL.

By Benjamin Ferrer