Why does DAKE use K1 and K2 as MK-4 specifically?Updated 21 days ago

Vitamin K exists in several forms, and the differences between them are meaningful — not just marketing. DAKE uses two forms intentionally: K1 (phytonadione) and K2 as MK-4 (menaquinone-4). 

K1 is the form found in leafy greens and is the primary driver of proper blood coagulation. It's well-absorbed, well-studied, and plays a critical role in activating clotting factors in the liver. K2 as MK-4 is the form the body preferentially converts K1 into via a direct biosynthetic pathway — and it's the form that does the work outside the liver, particularly in bone, arterial walls, and soft tissue. MK-4 activates osteocalcin, which anchors calcium into bone matrix, and Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), which actively prevents calcium from depositing in arteries and soft tissue. 

Together, K1 and MK-4 cover both the hepatic and extrahepatic roles of Vitamin K — the full functional picture — rather than relying on a single form to do everything.