Frutarom Launches Natural Vitamin K2

Highly bioavailable, Novel Food approved and supported by EFSA opinions on bone health claims, uniK2 is suitable for supplements and functional foods.

16 Nov 2010 --- Traditional Eastern foods are increasingly conquering Western markets, as the occidental world realizes their enormous potential for health. This is also the case when it comes to Frutarom’s latest product launch: uniK2, a highly bioavailable and Novel Food approved Vitamin K2 MK-7 for use in foods and food supplements. The ingredient is 100 percent of Japanese origin and is derived from Natto, one of the richest Vitamin K2 sources, which has been traditionally consumed in Japan for hundreds of years. Strongly backed up by scientific studies, uniK2 can support both bone and heart health.

Natto is traditionally made by fermentation of soy beans and has been consumed in the Far East as a food or food ingredient for centuries. During the fermentation process, the Vitamin K2 content increases several times over, making this traditional food one of the richest natural sources of this vitamin. UniK2 is produced using Bacillus natto, a bacteria naturally occurring in Natto. The extract provides Vitamin K2 as menaquinone-7 (MK-7), the most bioavailable and bioactive form of Vitamin K. It is produced by J-Oil Mills Inc. and thus originates entirely from Japan – a fact that can of course be labelled on the end product.

Healthy bones, healthy heart

UniK2 promotes both bone and heart health: Within the vitamin K2 group, MK-7 provides a longer lasting efficacy profile than other forms of vitamin K. By activating a protein called osteocalcin and producing optimal binding of calcium in the bones, it provides efficient osteoporosis prevention. Therefore, uniK2 contributes to bone mineralisation and thus helps maintaining healthy bones. This has been shown in multiple clinical studies and is supported by EFSA opinions on bone health claims.

Moreover, cardiovascular health is supported by preventing calcium from being deposited on arterial cell walls – this results in effective protection against arterial calcification. The ingredient’s efficacy for bone health, its effects on cardiovascular diseases, as well as its modes of action and safety, have been confirmed in recent clinical and population studies. UniK2 also received Novel Food approval in July 2010.

Target groups and positionings

Since the Vitamin K intake from regular diets is widely insufficient in the Western population, supplementation is strongly recommended. The daily intake of uniK2 is recommended at 45 μg. Due to its longer lasting bioavailability compared to Vitamin K1, this dosage is far below that specified for K1.

The extract is available in powder form or as an oil. UniK2 can be used for a wide range of products, mainly classical dietary supplements, but also functional foods such as beverages, dairy products, nutrition bars and bakery products. Its versatility and efficacy in fighting widespread diseases such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular complaints make uniK2 an attractive ingredient for bone and heart health formulas, and also for applications targeting women or golden agers in particular. With this Vitamin K2 ingredient, Frutarom once more expands its range of safe and efficient herbal extracts, providing science-based functionality purely from nature.

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