Vitamin K2 & Vitamin D

Vitamin K2 and vitamin D reference formula at example amounts of 100 mcg and 25 mcg (1,000 IU) per serving, developed as a capsule, tablet or liquid.

Vitamin K2 & Vitamin D is a reference formula for brands building a two-vitamin supplement around example amounts of 100 mcg of vitamin K2 and 25 mcg of vitamin D per serving. Both vitamins are fat soluble and are dosed in micrograms, so the development work centers on blend uniformity at very low inclusion, the form of the vitamin K2 (MK-4 or MK-7) and the form and unit of the vitamin D.

Capsule is the lead format because a small premix charge fits a single-piece fill, with a tablet and an oil-based liquid as further formats. The amounts are examples that the brand moves for its market, and the reference labels spread across many amounts of both vitamins, so the dose is set by the brand rather than fixed by this page.

Ingredient Composition

IngredientPer ServingRaw Material FormAlternative Form (same amount of active)
Vitamin K2100 mcg (example amount)Menaquinone premix, with the form (MK-7 or MK-4) set in the specification; specification 100 mcg of vitamin K2 per servingThe other menaquinone form as a separate option, or an oil-based K2 grade for the liquid, with the input recalculated to 100 mcg of vitamin K2
Vitamin D25 mcg (example amount)Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), powder or oil form, as the default form; specification 25 mcg (1,000 IU) of vitamin D per servingErgocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a separate option, or a vitamin D3 oil for the liquid, declared on its own basis

Amounts are stated as mcg of vitamin K2 and mcg of vitamin D, and no salt or hydrate conversion applies to either. Reference labels state vitamin D in mcg or in IU, and IU amounts are converted at 40 IU = 1 mcg, following the FDA 2019 guidance, which gives 1 mcg cholecalciferol = 40 IU vitamin D; 25 mcg therefore equals 1,000 IU. Cholecalciferol is C27H44O, 384.6 g/mol (PubChem). The two menaquinone forms are different molecules: menaquinone-7 is C46H64O2, 649.0 g/mol (PubChem) and menaquinone-4 is C31H40O2, 444.6 g/mol (PubChem).

Intended Benefits & Formula Rationale

This formula is designed for products positioned around bone and skeletal nutrition. Vitamin K2 and vitamin D are included together so that one serving carries both vitamins that the cited reviews discuss in the context of bone.

Intended Benefit DirectionKey IngredientsFormulation Rationale
Bone mineral density nutritionVitamin K2, Vitamin DIncluded together because a meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials (971 subjects) reports that vitamin K combined with vitamin D significantly increased total bone mineral density and decreased undercarboxylated osteocalcin, with a more favorable effect expected when vitamin K2 is used [1]. Evidence: Referenced
Vitamin D nutrition for skeletal healthVitamin DA narrative review states that vitamin D supplementation is key to the management of osteoporosis and essential in patients at risk of fracture or vitamin D deficiency [2]. Evidence: Referenced
Vitamin K2 within skeletal nutritionVitamin K2The same review describes vitamin K2 as involved in bone metabolism, while stating that data on the efficacy of vitamin K2 supplementation on bone are inconclusive [2]. Evidence: Mixed

The amounts are examples, and the combination is a design choice that the brand and its market review confirm. The subgroup analysis in [1] covers vitamin K2 or vitamin K supplementation below 500 mcg per day, a range that includes the 100 mcg example amount.

Available Formats

The vitamin K2 and vitamin D reference formula is built for a capsule, a tablet and a liquid version; counts per serving are design choices that the brand can adjust.

FormatUnitPer ServingPack SizeOther Ingredients (typical)Suitability
Capsule1 capsuleVitamin K2 100 mcg, vitamin D 25 mcg30 or 60 capsulesMicrocrystalline cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate, capsule shellLead format; one small premix charge per capsule
Liquid1 mLVitamin K2 100 mcg, vitamin D 25 mcg30 mL bottle with dropperMedium-chain triglyceride or sunflower oil carrier, tocopherol antioxidantOil-based drops for a dropper bottle
Tablet1 tabletVitamin K2 100 mcg, vitamin D 25 mcg60 or 90 tabletsMicrocrystalline cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate, film coatAlternative where a compressed unit is preferred

Raw Material Input & Fill (Design Estimate)

Design estimates. The inputs are the labeled amounts divided by an assumed assay of each raw material, taken at 0.2% (2 mg/g) for the vitamin K2 premix and at 100,000 IU/g (2.5 mg/g) for the vitamin D3 powder, so 100 mcg of vitamin K2 needs 50 mg of premix and 25 mcg of vitamin D needs 10 mg of powder per unit, and the liquid uses oil grades calculated at the same assays.

FormatRaw Material Input per UnitDesign FillBalance for ExcipientsVerification Before Scale-Up
CapsuleK2 premix 50 mg, D3 powder 10 mg300 mg per capsule240 mgBlend uniformity at 100 mcg and 25 mcg, fill weight variation, content assay of both vitamins
LiquidK2 premix 50 mg, D3 powder 10 mg equivalent1 mL per servingCarrier oil to volumeDispersion or solution in the oil, dropper delivery, content assay of both vitamins
TabletK2 premix 50 mg, D3 powder 10 mg250 mg per tablet190 mgBlend uniformity, hardness and disintegration, content assay of both vitamins

Softgel and gummy versions are separate projects, because a softgel needs its own oil-fill and shell plan and a gummy needs a heat-stable vitamin delivery system.

Formulation Considerations

Vitamin K2 form. MK-7 and MK-4 are different molecules, 649.0 and 444.6 g/mol, and the reference label names only vitamin K2. The specification states which form is used, and a switch between the two is a new product with its own raw material and stability data.
Microgram doses in a milligram fill. At 50 mg of K2 premix and 10 mg of D3 powder, the two actives make up 20% of a 300 mg capsule fill and the balance is diluent. Premixing in steps and testing blend uniformity on the first units keeps the 100 mcg and 25 mcg amounts consistent from unit to unit.
Light and oxidation. Both vitamins are lipid-soluble compounds that are handled away from light, heat and oxygen. Packaging, a tocopherol antioxidant in the liquid and potency through shelf life are checked in stability work.
Units and labeling. The vitamin D amount is stated as 25 mcg or 1,000 IU at 40 IU = 1 mcg, and the label unit follows the sales market. Vitamin D dose limits vary by age and by market, so the amount is reviewed for each market before a finished product is developed.

Customization Options

Brands adjust the vitamin K2 amount and form, the vitamin D amount and form, the format and the add-ons.

ParameterRangeNote
Vitamin K2 per serving90, 100 or 180 mcgExamples for the brand; the premix charge scales with the amount
Vitamin K2 formMK-7 or MK-4Separate specifications; the form sets the raw material and the stability plan
Vitamin D per serving25 or 50 mcg (1,000 or 2,000 IU)Examples for the brand; D3 is the default form
FormatCapsule, tablet or liquidSoftgel and gummy are separate projects
Add-onsCalcium, magnesiumA calcium amount in the hundreds of mg moves the unit to a larger tablet or a multi-capsule serving

The pilot run confirms blend uniformity of both vitamins at microgram level in the first units, the chosen K2 form against its specification, and the content assay of vitamin K2 and vitamin D against the labeled amounts.

Flavor Options

FormatSuggested FlavorsWhy
LiquidUnflavored or light citrusFlavor is chosen to suit an oil-based dropper format

Technical Status & Data Sources

ItemStatusDetails
Reference formulaNIH DSLDThe ingredient and amount come from a labeled product in the NIH DSLD (Vitamin K2 100 mcg + Vitamin D 25 mcg on the label of CF038152; example DSLD labels 298780, 314745). The label names vitamin K2 and vitamin D; the K2 form (MK-4 or MK-7) and the vitamin D form are set in the specification.
SpecificationSet in formulationVitamin K2 (MK-7 or MK-4 as set) 100 mcg and vitamin D (cholecalciferol as the default form) 25 mcg (1,000 IU) per serving; assay, K2 form and purity, vitamin D form, method and limits are fixed with the supplier. Unit size, fill weight and stability are set in formulation.
Data sourceNIH DSLDDSLD v9.4.0, downloaded 2026-01-10: 50,824 reference formulas merged from on-market labels with complete ingredient amounts. Counts show how labels are distributed.
Market reviewPer marketDose limits, labeling and claims are reviewed for each sales market before a finished product is developed.
ReferencesSources[1] Kuang X, Liu C, Guo X, et al. The combination effect of vitamin K and vitamin D on human bone quality: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food Funct. 2020;11(4):3280-3297. DOI · PubMed<br>[2] Capozzi A, Scambia G, Lello S. Calcium, vitamin D, vitamin K2, and magnesium supplementation and skeletal health. Maturitas. 2020;140:55-63. DOI · PubMed

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