NattoPharma ASA is a privately owned Norwegian nutraceutical company founded in 2004 and based in Oslo. Our branded substance is MenaQ7, the natural vitamin K2 - extracted from Natto. This is the most bioavailable and bioeffective form of vitamin K2. MenaQ7 product is a unique product based upon extensive scientific research and documentation in the area of bone and vascular health.
NattoPharma has a R&D agreement with VitaK managed by Professors Cees Vermeer and Leon Schurgers of the Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), University of Maastricht, the Netherlands. Along with contact to other outstanding medical institutions secures explorative- as well as clinical results for our present recommendations and future use of MenaQ7. We are proud and excited to follow the research which is going on in the biochemical and clinical environments with regards to Vitamin K2. Regulatory affairs are taken care of from Oslo where we follow up on EU directives and regulations.
NattoPharma is presently selling in Europe and in North America having customers in the food supplement and fortified food markets. Our agent in the US P L Thomas is active in the US while NattoPharma services other customers directly. We offer MenaQ7 in both an oil as well as a powder formulation.
MenaQ7, the natural vitamin K2
MenaQ7 contains K2 as menaquinone-7, the long chained K2 vitamin molecule offering superior bioavailability and health effects in low doses. The discoveries of these beneficial health effects are closely connected to Japan and the Netherlands; to the internationally known research group at the University of Maastricht lead by professor Cees Vermeer.
MenaQ7 derives from the Japanese food natto, which has been consumed in Japan for hundreds of years. When analyzing natto food for the content of various forms of vitamin K, it is seen that the dominating form of menaquinones in Natto food is menaquinone-7. One hundred grams of Natto contain approximately 800 - 1,000µg of menaquinone-7, while higher menaquinones are in less quantity.
Through extensive documentation it is shown that people consuming Natto have less osteoporosis and less risk of fractures. The main component in Natto responsible for this is menaquinone-7. Interestingly the mechanism of action of vitamin K2 which has been outlined during the past 30 years also reveals that menaquinone-7 is important for arterial calcification. The seemingly contradictory effect of K2 in enhancing binding of calcium in bones at the same time as removing calcium from the arterial vessel wall is called the calcium paradox.
Atherosclerosis is the most common form of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It is characterized by calcification of the arteries, a progressive condition that may lead to arterial sclerosis and, subsequently, angina and stroke. Both abnormal calcium and lipid metabolisms play an important role in the development of this disease. Today there exist few nutrition alternatives, besides pharmaceuticals, often with side effects, that can reduce the cardiovascular problem. The best positioned nutrition today is Omega-3, which finally was approved by the FDA in the US. Scientific studies indicate that Vitamin K2 probably reduces the calcium level in the artery walls. By doing this, it has a significant positive effect in reducing cardiovascular disease. NattoPharma ASA, Oslo, Norway is the supplier of MenaQ7.
We are proud to be able to offer you MenaQ7 as P-1000 (1000µg K2 / g) Powder and M-1500 (1500µg K2 / g) Oil. Please visit our web site, www.nattopharma.com to obtain more information and to get in touch with us. Thank you.