Typical dose
15 mcg to 45 mg daily, depending on application....
Oral
Oral safety: very low
About this supplement
Menaquinone-4 (MK-4) is a specific form of vitamin K2, a fat-soluble vitamin essential for blood coagulation, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular health. Unlike the plant-derived phylloquinone (vitamin K1), MK-4 is a menaquinone synthesized by animals and some bacteria. It has a side chain composed of four isoprenoid units, making it shorter than other common K2 forms like MK-7. MK-4 is notable for its rapid tissue distribution and unique biological roles, including activation of vitamin K-dependent proteins (e.g., osteocalcin for bone mineralization, matrix Gla protein for vascular calcification inhibition) and potential non-carboxylation-related functions in cell growth and apoptosis regulation. It is the primary form of vitamin K2 stored in animal tissues, particularly the brain, pancreas, and salivary glands.
How much to take
- Typical amount
- 15 mcg to 45 mg daily, depending on application. Bone health studies often use a pharmacological dose of 45 mg/day. General supplementation for vitamin K intake is typically in the microgram range (e.g., 100-200 mcg).
- Suggested range
- 100 mcg - 45 mg daily
Potential benefits
Benefits linked to this supplement form:
Things to watch for
Possible side effects linked to this form:
Health goals
Needs and goals this form may help with:
Other forms of Vitamin K
Compare absorption and active amounts with sibling forms:
Technical details â–¼
Chemical ID (CAS)
863-61-6
Formula
C31H40O2
Physical properties
Yellow to orange crystalline powder. Fat-soluble, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents like hexane and chloroform. Sensitive to light and oxidation.
How it’s made
MK-4 is produced synthetically for supplements via chemical synthesis from appropriate naphthoquinone and isoprenoid precursors. Naturally, it is synthesized in animal tissues (e.g., from vitamin K1 via conversion in certain organs) and by some bacteria, but commercial supplements are typically synthetic.