Natto: Use of Vitamin K-Antagonizing Drugs to Thin Blood Challenged: New Alternatives

DOACs are beneficial without promoting unwanted calcification.
OSLO, NORWAY and METUCHEN, NJ (November 18 2015) – Nutrients, an international,
peer-reviewed, open journal for studies related to Human Nutrition, recently
published a review1 from Maastricht University (the Netherlands) that updates on
oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment with a special focus on calcification of the
vasculature and the role of vitamin K. Most importantly, the review includes
recently developed alternative anticoagulant drugs – called direct oral
anticoagulants (DOACs) – which researchers deem a safer alternative as they do
not pose the negative side effects that typically accompany OACs.

Vitamin K-antagonists (VKA) are the most widely used anticoagulant drugs to
treat patients at risk of arterial and venous thrombosis for the past 50 years.
Due to unfavorable pharmacokinetics, VKAs have a small therapeutic window,
require frequent monitoring, and are susceptible to drug and nutritional
interactions. According to researchers, an important interaction is reducing
vitamin K status of the vasculature, which may lead to increased arterial
calcification.

The limitations of VKAs stimulated the development of alternative anticoagulant
drugs, resulting in DOACs, which specifically target either coagulation factor
Xa or thrombin more consistently. Further, DOACs do not present nutrient
interaction, such as vitamin K, and therefore may actually have benefits for
coronary artery disease.

“Oral anticoagulants block the activity of vitamin K-dependent proteins, which
has been shown to increase calcification, thereby negatively impacting
cardiovascular health. Clearly anticoagulant alternatives that do not interfere
with vitamin K would be a better option,” says Hogne Vik, CEO of NattoPharma,
exclusive global supplier of MenaQ7® Vitamin K2 as MK-7. NattoPharma also has a
long-standing relationship with Maastricht University, and this review is a
result of that collaboration.

By activating K-dependent proteins in the body, Vitamin K2 as MK-7 helps the
body to properly utilize calcium – directing it to the bones where it is needed,
and away from the arteries and blood vessels where calcium can deposit and cause
harm. Multiple clinical studies have confirmed that MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 as MK-7
effectively and safely does this; most notably in a 2013 study published in
Osteoporosis International2 and a 2015 study published in Thrombosis and
Haemostasis3, respectively.

Further, the researchers write, “Presently, ongoing clinical trials are
addressing whether vitamin K supplementation can halt or regress vascular
calcification. The outcome of these trials will pave the way to test whether co
-supplementation of Vitamin K2 with DOACs can benefit both coagulation and
calcification.”

“Accumulation of vitamin K from dietary and supplement sources has been shown to
be beneficial for bone and cardiovascular health,” Vik continues. “We welcome
further understanding and acceptance of alternatives to traditional OACs, and
hope this trend further shapes the standard of care.”

To view the new review in Nutrition, visit: http://www.mdpi.com/2072
-6643/7/11/5479/htm.

References:

1 van Gorp RH, Schurgers LJ. New Insights into the Pros and Cons of the Clinical
Use of Vitamin K Antagonists (VKAs) Versus Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs).
Nutrients 2015, 7, 1–20; doi:10.3390/nu7115479

2 Knapen MHJ et al. Three-year low-dose menaquinone-7 supplementation helps
decrease bone loss in healthy postmenopausal women. Osteoporos Int. 2013
Sep;24(9):2499-507.

3 Knapen MHJ et al. Menaquinone-7 supplementation improves arterial stiffness in
healthy postmenopausal women: double-blind randomised clinical trial. Thrombosis
and Haemostasis, 2015; 19;113(5).

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About MenaQ7®

MenaQ7® is the best documented, commercially available vitamin K2 as MK-7 with
guaranteed actives and stability, clinical substantiation, and international
patents granted and pending. MenaQ7® is available in two varieties: natural
vitamin K2 as MK-7 Crystals and nature-identical synthetic vitamin K2 as MK-7
PURE. For more information on the health benefits of MenaQ7, visit menaq7.com.

About NattoPharma

NattoPharma ASA, based in Norway, is the world’s leader in vitamin K2 research
and development. NattoPharma is the exclusive international supplier of MenaQ7®
Vitamin K2 as MK-7, and has a multi-year research and development program to
substantiate and discover the health benefits of vitamin K2 for applications in
the marketplace for functional food and dietary supplements. With a global
presence, the company established its North American subsidiary, NattoPharma
USA, Inc., in Metuchen, NJ. For more information, visit nattopharma.com.

For more information, please contact:

Hogne Vik, CEO NattoPharma

Cell phone: +47 97 53 53 26

E-mail: hogne.vik@nattopharma.com

Kate Quackenbush, Director of Communications

NattoPharma USA, Inc.

Phone: 609-643-0749

E-mail: kate.quackenbush@nattopharma.com