New Scientific Research Sheds Light on the Role of Vitamins K2 MK-7 and D3 in Alleviating Long COVID Symptoms

CLEVELAND, Ohio and MONTVALE, New Jersey – A groundbreaking clinical trial conducted by University Hospitals in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and published in the peer-reviewed journal Nutrients has revealed that a daily dose of vitamin D3 and vitamin K2 MK-7 could help improve symptoms of long COVID. Designed and funded by University Hospitals (UH), the single-site randomized controlled study used a vitamin K2 MK-7 ingredient provided by Balchem (K2VITAL™ MCT). The research confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of vitamin K2 and D3 in addressing long COVID, highlighting the potential to fill a critical gap that could have global applications.[1]

Vitamin K2 MK-7 and D3

The trial involved 151 adults aged 18 years and over, all diagnosed with a previous COVID-19 infection and experiencing prolonged, recurrent or newly developed symptoms more than three months after their positive test result. Participants were randomly assigned to either standard of care (SOC) or a daily dose of 240 µg of vitamin K2 MK-7 (K2VITAL™ MCT) and 50 µg (2000 IU) vitamin D for 24 weeks.

Results showed that those receiving the vitamin combination experienced significant improvements in the total number of Long COVID symptoms. They also showed reductions in scores on the Long COVID Research Index – a tool used to classify and identify individuals with Long COVID. The most frequently reported symptoms were fatigue, problems thinking, pain in any part of the body, shortness of breath, and change in smell or taste. Notably, there was a significant decrease in participants suffering from body pain and post-exertional malaise, suggesting a beneficial effect of vitamins K2 and D3 on muscle-related symptoms. After 24 weeks, the treatment group also exhibited important reductions in several inflammatory markers and oxidized LDL levels, indicating how the two vitamins support immune and cardiovascular health. Additionally, supplementation with these nutrients effectively decreased gut permeability and fungal translocation - key factors in the pathophysiology of long COVID.¹

Commenting on the study, Grace McComsey, MD, FIDSA, Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics and vice Dean for Clinical and Translational research at Case Western Reserve University, and Research Integrity Officer at  University Hospitals and Principal Investigator of the intervention trial said,  “For the first time, in this randomized controlled clinical trial, we investigated the effects of vitamins K2 and D3 on long COVID symptomatology, as well as markers of immune activation and gut function. We observed a treatment effect of K2/D3 on reducing the long COVID Research Index and total number of symptoms, highlighting the promising impact of vitamin K2/D3 supplementation in attenuating long COVID.”

“At Balchem, science is at the heart of everything we do, and we are dedicated to collaborating with universities and research institutions to drive scientific progress. We’re proud that our K2VITAL™ ingredient played a role in this study, and the findings hold great potential for the future,” concludes Trygve Bergeland, Director Nutrition Science, Balchem Human Nutrition and Health.