Vitamin K2 in Foods: The Powerful Micronutrient Most People Overlook

We often talk about calcium and vitamin D, but the nutrient that directs where calcium ultimately goes, vitamin K2, is usually overlooked. Emerging research indicates that K2 may support strong bones and flexible blood vessels, yet many diets provide too little of it, particularly as processed and plant-based eating patterns increase.

In this blog, we’ll explain what vitamin K2 is, highlight which foods provide it, clarify why natural vitamin K matters in formulation, and outline how we at NutriFusion support manufacturers with plant-based vitamins from whole food sources.

Vitamin K2 101: The “Other” Vitamin K Most People Ignore

Even though vitamin K appears on most nutrition labels, its different forms are not always explained clearly. That is why many people understand K1 but have never heard of K2, even though the two forms play very different roles in the body. Before we explore food sources or potential benefits, it is helpful to clarify what sets vitamin K2 apart.

Vitamin K is a family of vitamins, not just one.

• Vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is found in leafy greens and is essential for blood clotting.
• Vitamin K2 (menaquinones), including MK-4 and MK-7, is found in fermented and animal foods and is associated with calcium regulation and long-term tissue health.

At NutriFusion, we note that plant-based K1 from greens is readily accessible and safe for consumption, and the body can convert some of it into K2 when needed, which makes it valuable in clean-label formulations.

Still, most consumers never see “vitamin K2” on labels, because nutrition panels simply list vitamin K, which can make the different roles of each form less clear. Brands that clearly communicate their real food vitamin sources can gain a meaningful transparency advantage.

How Vitamin K2 Helps Bones Stay Strong, and Arteries Stay Flexible

Once we understand what vitamin K2 is, the next step is looking at how it functions in the body. K2 plays a behind-the-scenes role that directly affects two major areas of long-term health: bone density and cardiovascular function. Its role in supporting calcium distribution is one reason K2 is so essential and often overlooked.

How K2 Supports Bone Mineralization

K2 helps activate osteocalcin, a protein involved in binding calcium to bone. When K2 works with vitamin D and calcium, it may help support bone mineralization and long-term bone strength.

How K2 Supports Arterial Flexibility

K2 also helps activate matrix Gla protein (MGP), which is associated with maintaining healthy arterial flexibility and limiting unwanted calcium buildup.

Despite these important functions, K2 is often overshadowed by nutrients like calcium or vitamin D. For brands developing functional foods, considering whole-food patterns of K, D, and other vitamins supports more comprehensive, evidence-informed nutrition strategies.

Where Vitamin K2 Shows Up on the Plate

Knowing the importance of vitamin K2 naturally raises the question of where it appears in everyday foods. Unlike K1, which appears widely in leafy greens, K2 is concentrated in only a handful of foods. That limited distribution is one of the main reasons many modern diets fall short.

Fermented Foods

Fermented foods offer some of the highest concentrations of vitamin K2 available. Their nutrient density makes them valuable for formulators who want real food sources of essential vitamins.

• Natto (top source of MK-7)
• Aged cheeses
• Sauerkraut

These foods pack strong nutrition and strong flavors, which may limit their popularity.

Dairy and Eggs

Cheese, yogurt, butter, and egg yolks contain modest amounts of K2, along with calcium and protein. These are widely consumed but vary in fat and sodium, so balance matters.

Meats and Organ Foods

Beef liver and certain cuts contain K2. But as people shift toward plant-based eating, these foods are eaten less often, which may contribute to lower K2 intake. This is where whole food vitamin K solutions, including plant-based K1, can become valuable tools for manufacturers.

With only a handful of foods providing meaningful amounts of K2, brands have a strong opportunity to improve product nutrition by turning to whole food vitamin ingredients that support clean-label goals.

Why Vitamin K2 Is Easy to Miss in Modern Diets

K2-rich foods such as organ meats or natto are not common in many modern diets, particularly within Western or plant-forward eating patterns.

Ultra-processed foods generally provide little natural vitamin K unless they are fortified. Leafy greens that supply K1 are more common, although the body’s conversion of K1 to K2 varies among individuals.

This pattern can create a nutritional gap that manufacturers can address with clean-label, whole-food vitamin blends from NutriFusion, which help support natural vitamin intake without synthetics.

Natural Vitamin K vs. Synthetic Fortification: What R&D Teams Need to Know

For manufacturers formulating better-for-you products, vitamin K brings a unique challenge. It can be added synthetically, or it can come from whole food, plant-based sources, and consumers increasingly care about the difference. Understanding these two approaches is essential for brands aiming for clean label credibility.

Food formulators typically rely on two vitamin K pathways:

1. Synthetic Vitamin Additives

Manufacturers often compare different sourcing options when building a nutritional profile. Understanding how synthetic additions behave in finished products helps set clear expectations.

• Chemically isolated vitamin compounds
• Functionally useful but less aligned with clean label preferences

These additives remain common in many formulations, yet they do not always match evolving consumer expectations for natural and transparent nutrition.

2. Whole-Food, Plant-Based Vitamins

Formulators looking for a cleaner ingredient statement often explore natural vitamin sources. Whole food ingredients offer an approach that connects product performance with label transparency.

• Delivered through fruit and vegetable concentrates such as GrandFusion®
• Support clean label and no synthetics goals
• Allow labels that highlight recognizable ingredients like spinach or broccoli

This approach gives manufacturers a way to strengthen nutritional profiles while keeping ingredient lists familiar and consistent with clean label priorities.

Even though natural K2 sources are mostly animal-based, developers can strengthen vitamin K profiles with plant-derived K1, which the body may convert to K2 as needed, supporting both nutritional goals and consumer expectations.

How NutriFusion Delivers Plant-Based Vitamin K From Whole Foods

NutriFusion® develops GrandFusion® nutrient blends made entirely from whole fruits and vegetables.

• The 12 Essential Vitamins Blend (NF-2782) provides about 50% of the daily value of vitamin K1, along with vitamins A as beta carotene, C, D2, E, and several B vitamins, in a single 225 mg serving made from ingredients such as spinach, broccoli, carrot, and sweet potato.
• The 21 Vitamin & Mineral Blend (NF-82333) provides 100% of the daily value of vitamin K1 along with a broad panel of vitamins and minerals in a blend made from plant-based ingredients such as broccoli, spinach, kale, pumpkin, sweet potato, and other botanicals.

These blends help manufacturers deliver a real food nutrition story grounded in transparency, clean label principles, and whole plant ingredients.

From Overlooked Micronutrient to Clean-Label Advantage With NutriFusion

Vitamin K2 may not receive as much attention as other well-known nutrients, yet its role in supporting bone and heart health makes it increasingly relevant for modern product development. As consumers look for nutrient-rich and synthetic-free foods, K2 and plant-based vitamin solutions create a meaningful path for brands that want to deliver real food nutrition.

Using GrandFusion® plant-based blends gives manufacturers a practical way to support products positioned for bone and cardiovascular health by incorporating key vitamins such as K1, D2, and other essential nutrients from whole fruits and vegetables. These blends also make it easier to meet clean label expectations with no synthetics while maintaining ingredient transparency. By relying on real food sources, manufacturers can strengthen trust with consumers seeking authenticity.

If you are exploring ways to build more nutrient-dense products, our Custom Superfood Powder Blends can help you create targeted vitamin solutions using real fruit and vegetable ingredients.

NutriFusion

NutriFusion develops all‐natural fruit and vegetable powders that are nutrient-dense for when you do not have access to fresh produce…and even when you do, to improve your vitamin intake. Sourcing only whole, non-GMO foods, NutriFusion offers consumers a concentrated micronutrient and phytonutrient-rich food ingredient blend. With a farm-to-table philosophy, NutriFusion’s proprietary process stabilizes the nutrients from perishable fruits and vegetables, allowing a longer shelf life and access to vital nutrients.

NutriFusion fruit and/or vegetable powders are for use in foods, beverages, supplements, and pet foods. NutriFusion can help! Visit us at www.nutrifusion.com.

 

 

References

1. WebMD. Foods High in Vitamin K2. https://www.webmd.com/diet/foods-high-in-vitamin-k2